The Origin of the Far-Infrared Luminosity from Spiral Galaxies
Abstract
The relationship between the far-infrared and Hα luminosity has been investigated for a sample of 124 spiral galaxies. After correcting the Hα luminosities for an average 1 mag of extinction and extrapolating the IRAS 40-120 micron luminosity to 1000 microns, we find that the mean ratio of Hα to far-infrared luminosity is comparable to that expected from H II regions powered by stars with masses > 6 M_sun_. This result constitutes strong evidence in support of the view that high-mass (> 6 M_sun_) O and B stars are responsible for both the Hα and far-infrared emission in spiral galaxies of high, >= 1 x 10^9^ L_sun_, far-infrared luminosity.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- February 1990
- DOI:
- 10.1086/185659
- Bibcode:
- 1990ApJ...350L..25D
- Keywords:
-
- Far Infrared Radiation;
- H Alpha Line;
- Interstellar Extinction;
- Luminosity;
- Spiral Galaxies;
- B Stars;
- H Ii Regions;
- Stellar Mass;
- Astrophysics;
- GALAXIES: STELLAR CONTENT;
- INFRARED: GENERAL