Ambient Interstellar Pressure and Superbubble Evolution
Abstract
High ambient interstellar pressure is suggested as a possible factor to explain the ubiquitous observed growth rate discrepancy for supernova-driven superbubbles and stellar wind bubbles. Pressures of P/k~105 cm-3 K are plausible for regions with high star formation rates, and these values are intermediate between the estimated Galactic midplane pressure and those observed in starburst galaxies. High-pressure components also are commonly seen in Galactic interstellar medium (ISM) localizations. We demonstrate the sensitivity of shell growth to the ambient pressure and suggest that superbubbles ultimately might serve as ISM barometers.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- September 2004
- DOI:
- 10.1086/421483
- arXiv:
- arXiv:astro-ph/0403713
- Bibcode:
- 2004ApJ...613..302O
- Keywords:
-
- Galaxies: ISM;
- ISM: Bubbles;
- ISM: General;
- Galaxies: Magellanic Clouds;
- ISM: Supernova Remnants;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 13 pp, 8 figs