Star formation rates and the kinematics of gas in the spiral arms of NGC 628

TL;DR

This study investigates the relationship between star formation rates and gas kinematics in the spiral arms of NGC 628, revealing correlations with gas inflow velocities but not with HI density or regions outside the arms.

Contribution

It demonstrates a correlation between star formation rates and gas inflow velocities in spiral arms, highlighting the role of gas dynamics in star formation processes.

Findings

Star formation rate peaks at 4.5-5 kpc from galaxy center.

Correlation between star formation rate and gas inflow velocity in spiral arms.

No correlation between star formation rate and HI column density.

Abstract

Relations between star formation rates along the spiral arms and the velocities of gas inflow into the arms in grand-design galaxy NGC 628 were studied. We found that the radial distribution of average star formation rate in individual star formation regions in regular spiral arms correlates with the velocity of gas inflow into the spiral arms. Both distributions have maxima at a galactocentric distance of 4.5-5 kpc. There are no correlations between the radial distributions of average star formation rate in star formation regions in spiral arms and outside spiral arms in the main disc. We also did not find a correlation between the radial distribution of average star formation rate in star formation regions in spiral arms and HI column density.