The origin of the far-infrared luminosity within the spiral galaxy M51

High angular resolution 170 micron and H-alpha maps have been recombined in order to elucidate the origin of the far-IR luminosity within the late-type spiral galaxy M51. New quantitative evidence is presented supporting a common origin for the far-IR and H-alpha luminosities is the striking corresp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Astronomical journal 1992-05, Vol.103 (5, Ma), p.1536-1544
Main Authors: Devereux, Nicholas A., Young, Judith S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astronomy
Astrophysics
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Normal galaxies. Extragalactic objects and systems (by type)
Stellar systems. Galactic and extragalactic objects and systems. The universe
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Summary:High angular resolution 170 micron and H-alpha maps have been recombined in order to elucidate the origin of the far-IR luminosity within the late-type spiral galaxy M51. New quantitative evidence is presented supporting a common origin for the far-IR and H-alpha luminosities is the striking correspondence, at all locations measured within M51, between the luminosity in the far IR and that expected from the O and B stars which are required to ionize the hydrogen gas. The warm 33 K dust temperature measured for M51 is similar to that measured for galactic and extragalactic star formation regions. It is concluded that O and B stars can easily generate both the far-IR luminosity and the warm dust temperature at all locations within M51. The dust mass required to radiate the IRAS 60 and 100 micron emission measured for M51 represents only a small percentage of the total dust content of M51. Constraints are placed on the mass and temperature of the cold dust.
ISSN:0004-6256
1538-3881
DOI:10.1086/116166