The Properties of Dense Molecular Gas in the Milky Way and Galaxies
Yancy L. Shirley (Bok Fellow, Univ. of Arizona), Jingwen Wu (CfA), R., Shane Bussmann (Univ. of Arizona), and Al Wootten (NRAO)
TL;DR
This paper reviews the properties of dense molecular gas in the Milky Way and other galaxies, highlighting the consistent star formation rate per unit mass and its relation to galaxy-wide star formation laws.
Contribution
It synthesizes observational evidence for a constant star formation rate per unit mass in dense gas and links it to the global Schmidt-Kennicutt law.
Findings
Star formation rate per unit mass in dense gas is approximately constant.
Correlations between infrared luminosity and dense gas tracers are consistent across galaxy types.
Dense molecular gas properties underpin galaxy-wide star formation laws.
Abstract
We review the evidence for a constant star formation rate per unit mass in dense molecular gas in the Milky Way and the extragalactic correlations of L_IR with L' from observations of dense molecular gas. We discuss the connection between the constant SFR/M interpretation in dense gas and the global Schmidt-Kennicutt star formation law.
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Taxonomy
TopicsAstrophysics and Star Formation Studies · Astronomy and Astrophysical Research · Cosmology and Gravitation Theories