Spatial regularity of the young stellar population in spiral arms of late type galaxies NGC 895, NGC 5474, and NGC 6946

TL;DR

This study reveals that young stars and star formation regions in the spiral arms of three late-type galaxies exhibit spatial regularity with characteristic scales of 350 to 500 parsecs, indicating a common pattern in spiral galaxy star formation.

Contribution

It demonstrates the presence of spatial regularity in young stellar populations across multiple spiral galaxies using Fourier analysis of multi-wavelength photometry data.

Findings

Regular chains of star formation regions with 350-500 pc spacing

Spatial regularity observed in all studied galaxies

Characteristic scales similar to those in other known spiral galaxies

Abstract

We investigate the spatial regularity in the distribution of the young stellar population along spiral arms of three late type spiral galaxies: NGC 895, NGC 5474, and NGC 6946. This study is based on an analysis of photometric properties of spiral arms using {\it GALEX} ultraviolet, optical UBVRI, Halpha, and 8mum {IRAC} infrared surface photometry data. Using the Fourier analysis approach, we found features of spatial regularity or quasi-regularity in the distribution of the young stellar population or (and) regular chains of star formation regions in all arms of NGC 895, NGC 5474, and NGC 6946 with characteristic scales of spacing from 350 to 500 pc in different arms, and (or) scales which are multiples of them. These characteristic scales are close to the those found earlier in NGC 628, NGC 6217, and M100.