| |
 |
| Paper: |
Star Formation Laws in Various Types of Galaxies and the Case of Polar Ring Galaxies |
| Volume: |
486, Multi-Spin Galaxies |
| Page: |
101 |
| Authors: |
Bournaud, F. |
| Abstract: |
We here review the star formation scaling laws in various types of galaxies, and some theoretical explanations for a non-universal gas depletion timescale as a function of galactic environment (disks, spheroids, mergers). Gas is turned into stars more efficiently and more rapidly in mergers, while star formation is slower in elliptical galaxies compared to spirals – even for the same gas reservoir. This is explained mostly by variations in the stability of interstellar gas and its turbulence, influenced by the large-scale galactic environment. Based on this, we propose that polar rings should host high-efficiency star formation in spite of modest gas surface densities. Existing data are tentatively in agreement with this prediction, which would suggest that star formation laws and thresholds vary mostly as a function of gravitational stability and interstellar turbulence, rather than dust and metallicity. |
|
|
|
|
|
