Modelling the pan-spectral energy distribution of starburst galaxies. 1. The role of ISM pressure & the molecular cloud dissipation timescale

Jul, 2004
56 pages
Published in:
  • Astrophys.J. 619 (2005) 755-778
e-Print:

Citations per year

2005201020152020202502468101214
Abstract: (arXiv)
In this paper, we combine the stellar spectral synthesis code STARBURST 99, the nebular modelling code MAPPINGS IIIq, a 1-D dynamical evolution model of \HII regions around massive clusters of young stars and a simplified model of synchrotron emissivity to produce purely theoretical self-consistent synthetic spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for (solar metallicity) starbursts lasting some 10810^8 years. These SEDs extend from the Lyman Limit to beyond 21 cm. We find that two ISM parameters control the form of the SED/ the pressure in the diffuse phase of the ISM (or, equivalently, its density), and the molecular cloud dissipation timescale. We present detailed SED fits to Arp 220 and NGC 6240, and we give the predicted colors for starburst galaxies derived from our models for the IRAS and the Spitzer Space Observatory MIPS and IRAC instruments. Our models reproduce the spread in observed colors of starburst galaxies. Finally, we present absolute calibrations to convert observed fluxes into star formation rates in the UV (GALEX), at optical wavelengths (Hα\alpha), and in the IR (IRAS or the Spitzer Space Observatory). (Abstract Truncated)
Note:
  • dust, extinction
  • galaxies: general
  • galaxies: starburst
  • H II regions
  • infrared: galaxies
  • radio continuum: galaxies
  • ultraviolet: galaxies