Hα Imaging of Early-Type Sa-Sab Spiral Galaxies. II. Global Properties
Citations Over TimeTop 12% of 2005 papers
Abstract
New results, based on one of the most comprehensive H-alpha imaging surveys of nearby Sa-Sab spirals completed to date, reveals early-type spirals to be a diverse group of galaxies that span a wide range in massive star formation rates. While the majority of Sa-Sab galaxies in our sample are forming stars at a modest rate, a significant fraction (~29%) exhibit star formation rates greater than 1 M(solar/yr), rivaling the most prolifically star forming late-type spirals. A similar diversity is apparent in the star formation history of Sa-Sab spirals as measured by their H-alpha equivalent widths. Consistent with our preliminary results presented in the first paper in this series, we find giant HII regions (L(H-alpha)>10^{39}erg/s) in the disks of 37% of early-type spirals. We suspect that recent minor mergers or past interactions are responsible for the elevated levels of H-alpha emission and perhaps, for the presence of giant HII regions in these galaxies.
Related Papers
- → Galaxy Zoo: unwinding the winding problem – observations of spiral bulge prominence and arm pitch angles suggest local spiral galaxies are winding(2019)47 cited
- → Introduction of New Spiral Formulas from ROTASE Model and Application to Natural Spiral Objects(2021)7 cited
- → Study of the Relation between the Spiral Arm Pitch Angle and the Kinetic Energy of Random Motions of the Host Spiral Galaxies, A(2014)3 cited
- → Measurements of the equivalent thicknesses of three-dimensional spiral galactic disks(2009)
- Proper Motions of Bulge Stars(2019)