Star formation thresholds derived from THINGS

Abstract

We present first results from THINGS (The HI Nearby Galaxy Survey), which consists of high quality HI maps obtained with the VLA of 34 galaxies across a wide range of galaxy parameters (Hubble type, mass/luminosity). We compare the distribution of HI to the UV emission in our sample galaxies. In particular we present radial profiles of the HI (tracing the neutral interstellar medium) and UV (mainly tracing regions of recent star formation) in our sample galaxies. The azimuthally averaged HI profiles are compared to the predicted critical density above which organized large-scale star formation is believed to start (this threshold is based on the Toomre-Q parameter, which in turn is a measure for local gravitational instability). Show more