Toward a physical understanding of the Hubble sequence
Abstract
The frequency distribution of luminosities for spiral galaxies of Hubble types Sab through Scd has been examined in a variety of samples. In all samples the minimum luminosity found for early Hubble types (Sab + Sb) is nearly 2 mag brighter than that for later types. This result is interpreted in the context of the Roberts, Roberts, and Shu model of galactic shock-driven star formation and appears to be consistent with its predictions.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- May 1980
- DOI:
- 10.1086/157916
- Bibcode:
- 1980ApJ...237..686S
- Keywords:
-
- Galactic Structure;
- Hubble Diagram;
- Spiral Galaxies;
- Frequency Distribution;
- Galactic Evolution;
- Luminosity;
- Stellar Magnitude;
- Astrophysics