Radial metallicity distribution breaks at corotation radius in spiral galaxies

Autor(es)

Scarano, Jr., S. ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Lepine, J. R. D. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Astron Geofis & Ciencias Atmosfer, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Southern Astrophys Res Telescope SOAR, La Serena 1700000 - Chile

^[3] Univ Fed Sergipe, Dept Fis CCET, BR-49100000 Sao Cristovao, SE - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society; v. 428, n. 1, p. 625-640, JAN 2013.
• Citações Web of Science: 32

Resumo

We analysed the relation between the corotation radii and the galactic radii at which breaks or changes of slope of the metallicity gradients occur in spiral galaxies. With this purpose we compiled the results from the literature on rotation curves, corotation radii and radial metallicity distributions of 27 galaxies, of which 16 were considered qualified to be studied in the context of this work. We rescaled all references of each galaxy to the same framework in order to compare the results and to identify the radii where breaks and changes of slopes are found, when non-linear models fit the radial metallicities better than a linear model. In most galaxies we have found minima and breaks in radial metallicity near the corotation radius, revealing a significant correlation between these two radii, as it occurs in our Galaxy. The results are interpreted as a consequence of long-lived spiral structures, in which the star formation rate depends on the distance to the corotation radius, producing secular effects in the observed radial metallicity distributions. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 09/05181-8 - Determinação da Orientação Espacial de Galáxias Utilizando Braços Espirais e Campos de Velocidade
• Beneficiário: Sergio Scarano Junior
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado