Title
The Larson-Tinsley Effect in the Ultraviolet: Interacting Versus "Normal" Spiral Galaxies
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2010
Description
We compare the UV-optical colors of a well-defined set of optically selected pre-merger interacting galaxy pairs with those of normal spirals. The shorter wavelength colors show a larger dispersion for the interacting galaxies than for the spirals. This result can best be explained by higher star formation rates on average in the interacting galaxies, combined with higher extinctions on average. This is consistent with earlier studies which found that the star formation in interacting galaxies tends to be more centrally concentrated than in normal spirals, perhaps due to gas being driven into the center by the interaction. As noted in earlier studies, there is a large variation from galaxy to galaxy in the implied star formation rates of the interacting galaxies, with some galaxies having enhanced rates but others being fairly quiescent.
Citation Information
Smith, Beverly J.; and Struck, Curtis. 2010. The Larson-Tinsley Effect in the Ultraviolet: Interacting Versus "Normal" Spiral Galaxies. Astronomical Journal. Vol.140(6). 1975-1986. https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-6256/140/6/1975 ISSN: 0004-6256