Luminous IR galaxies in a merger sequence: BIMA CO imaging
The power output in luminous infrared galaxies (LIGs, LIR≳ 1011L⊙, H0= 75 kms− 1 Mpc−
1) can approach the bolometric luminosity of quasars and can be provided by either
starbursts or dust-enshouded QSOs, or both. Most LIGs appear to comprise of mergers of
gas-rich galaxies. So, intense bursts of star formation apparently result from interaction and
merging of galaxies, but the exact physical processes involved in collecting the large
amount of gas involved and in initiating the starbursts are not well understood.
1) can approach the bolometric luminosity of quasars and can be provided by either
starbursts or dust-enshouded QSOs, or both. Most LIGs appear to comprise of mergers of
gas-rich galaxies. So, intense bursts of star formation apparently result from interaction and
merging of galaxies, but the exact physical processes involved in collecting the large
amount of gas involved and in initiating the starbursts are not well understood.
The power output in luminous infrared galaxies (LIGs, LIR ≳ 1011L⊙, H0 = 75 kms−1 Mpc−1) can approach the bolometric luminosity of quasars and can be provided by either starbursts or dust-enshouded QSOs, or both. Most LIGs appear to comprise of mergers of gas-rich galaxies. So, intense bursts of star formation apparently result from interaction and merging of galaxies, but the exact physical processes involved in collecting the large amount of gas involved and in initiating the starbursts are not well understood.
Cambridge University Press