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The Magellanic irregular galaxy NGC 4214 - Star formation and the interstellar mediumNear- and far-IR data and mm-wave CO observations are used to study the star-forming properties of the Magellanic irregular galaxy NGC 4214 and its interstellar medium. The galaxy is forming stars at present at about 0.5-1 solar mass/yr in its central few arcmin, if the new stars follow the Salpeter initial mass function from 0.1 to 100 solar masses. This has been maintained for around a Hubble time, although some regions of the galaxy may undergo periods of enhanced and depressed star formation. Based on the mass of dust in emission at 160 microns, a plausible star formation efficiency of about 1.5 percent is estimated, if the H I gas does not take part in forming stars. Molecular masses derived using the H + 1 - 0 line and a conversion to M(H2) appropriate to spiral galaxies produces a mass estimate that is too low by a factor of five to ten.
Document ID
19890029286
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Thronson, Harley A., Jr.
(Wyoming Univ. Laramie, WY, United States)
Greenhouse, Matthew
(Wyoming Infrared Observatory Laramie, United States)
Hunter, Deidre A.
(Lowell Observatory Flagstaff, AZ, United States)
Telesco, C. M.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Harper, D. A.
(Yerkes Observatory Williams Bay, WI, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
November 15, 1988
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 334
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
89A16657
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG2-134
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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