Molecular gas in galaxies: changing conditions from disks to starbursts Conferences

abstract

• AbstractIn understanding galaxy evolution, one central question is how star formation is regulated in galaxies. Changes in star formation rates are likely tied to changes in the interstellar medium, particularly the molecular gas which is the fuel for star formation. I will discuss our recent results which use data from the Herschel Space Observatory, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, and other telescopes to determine the typical density, temperature, and surface density of the molecular gas in various nearby galaxies. Comparing the properties of molecular gas in starburst and other active galaxies with more quiescent spiral disks provides some clues as to how changes in the physical state of the gas, such as mean density, can lead to enhanced star formation rates.

authors

• Wilson, Christine D

status

• published 

publication date

• August 2015

has subject area

• 0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences (FoR)

published in

• Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union  Journal

presented at event

• 315th Symposium of the International-Astronomical-Union  Conference

keywords

• ARP 220
• Astronomy & Astrophysics
• DENSE GAS
• DEPLETION TIME
• DUST
• HERSCHEL-SPIRE
• ISM: molecules
• LEGACY SURVEY
• M51
• NEARBY GALAXIES
• Physical Sciences
• SCALING RELATIONS
• STAR-CLUSTERS
• Science & Technology
• galaxies: spiral
• galaxies: starburst

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1017/s174392131600750x

International Standard Book Number (ISBN) 13

• 978-1-107-13520-8

start page

• 199

end page

• 206

volume

• 11

issue

• S315