The joint far-infrared-optical luminosity function for spiral galaxies and data for the Abell 400 and Cancer clusters.
Abstract
Visual and IRAS data for an optically selected sample of 183 late-type galaxies are compiled in tables and graphs and analyzed in detail to determine the joint FIR-optical luminosity function Psi from the FIR/blue luminosity ratio, r = L(FIR)/L(B). It is found that Psi can be approximated by a function of a single variable psi(r-prime), where r-prime is defined as r times L(B)/L(asterisk) exp -delta, with L(asterisk) a constant and delta = about 0.08. A lognormal curve peaking at r-prime = 0.35 and with dispersion of 0.28 is shown to give a good fit to psi(r-prime). From a lack of galaxies with very low r-prime in the present sample it is inferred that there are few spiral galaxies with low interstellar-dust abundances. Also included are data on the distribution function of r-prime for the more distant clusters Abell 400 and Cancer.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- March 1991
- DOI:
- 10.1086/169792
- Bibcode:
- 1991ApJ...370...49C
- Keywords:
-
- Far Infrared Radiation;
- Galactic Clusters;
- Infrared Sources (Astronomy);
- Luminosity;
- Spiral Galaxies;
- Astronomical Catalogs;
- Astronomical Photometry;
- Galactic Structure;
- Visual Photometry;
- Astrophysics