Observational Comparison of Star Formation in Different Galaxy Types
Abstract
Galaxies cover a wide range of masses and star formation histories. In this review, I summarize some of the evolutionary key features of common galaxy types. At the high-mass end, very rapid, efficient early star formation is observed, accompanied by strong enrichment and later quiescence, well-described by downsizing scenarios. In the intermediate-mass regime, early-type galaxies may still show activity in low-mass environments or when being rejuvenated by wet mergers. In late-type galaxies, we find continuous, though variable star formation over a Hubble time. In the dwarf regime, a wide range of properties from bursty activity to quiescence is observed. Generally, stochasticity dominates here, and star formation rates and efficiencies tend to be low. Morphological types and their star formation properties correlate with environment.
- Publication:
-
Computational Star Formation
- Pub Date:
- April 2011
- DOI:
- 10.1017/S1743921311000603
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1009.1253
- Bibcode:
- 2011IAUS..270..335G
- Keywords:
-
- galaxies: formation;
- galaxies: evolution;
- galaxies: elliptical and lenticular;
- galaxies: spiral;
- galaxies: dwarf;
- galaxies: stellar content;
- Astrophysics - Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- Invited review to appear in IAU Symposium 270 on "Computational Star Formation". Editors: J. Alves, B.G. Elmegreen, J.M. Girart, and V. Trimble (Cambridge University Press). 12 pages, no figures