Detection of the self-regulation of star formation in galaxy discs

Zaragoza-Cardiel, Javier; Fritz, Jacopo; Aretxaga, Itziar; Mayya, Divakara; Rosa-González, Daniel; Beckman, John E.; Bruzual, Gustavo; Charlot, Stephane; Lomelí-Núñez, Luis
Bibliographical reference

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters, Volume 487, Issue 1, p.L61-L66

Advertised on:
6
2019
Number of authors
9
IAC number of authors
1
Citations
11
Refereed citations
10
Description
Stellar feedback has a notable influence on the formation and evolution of galaxies. However, direct observational evidence is scarce. We have performed stellar population analysis using MUSE optical spectra of the spiral galaxy NGC 628 and find that current maximum star formation in spatially resolved regions is regulated according to the level of star formation in the recent past. We propose a model based on the self-regulator or `bathtub' models, but for spatially resolved regions of the galaxy. We name it the `resolved self-regulator model' and show that the predictions of this model are in agreement with the presented observations. We observe star formation self-regulation and estimate the mass-loading factor, η = 2.5 ± 0.5, consistent with values predicted by galaxy formation models. The method described here will help provide better constraints on those models.
Related projects
Poster Almeria Astronomy week
Kinematic, Structural and Composition Studies of the Interstellar and Intergalactic Media
The basic objective of the broject is to investigate the evolution of galaxies by deepening our understanding of the interaction between the insterstellar medium and the stars.The main technique which we use is the two-dimensional kinematic study of whole galaxies observed using our instrument:GHaFaS, a Fabry-Perot interferometer on the William
Prof.
John E. Beckman