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Near-infrared mass-to-light ratios in galaxies - Stellar mass and star formation in the heart of the WhirlpoolThe observed stellar population in the solar neighborhood is used to derive a relationship between the local stellar mass density and the visual and near-IR brightness, which is then extended to a wide range of galaxies. This technique is applied to near-IR (J, H, and K) images of the central 2.3 kpc (50 arcsec) of the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51, NGC 5194). It is estimated that the current high rate of star formation can last no more than about another 10-million years, and that, if a large fraction of the stars in the nucleus of M51 was created in periods of enhanced formation, the duty cycle for such events is about 5 percent.
Document ID
19880043910
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 A.
(Wyoming Infrared Observatory Laramie, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
April 15, 1988
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 327
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
88A31137
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG2-134
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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