Advanced search
1 file | 34.27 MB Add to list

The IRX-β relation on subgalactic scales in star-forming galaxies of the Herschel Reference Survey

Author
Organization
Abstract
Aims. It is still not understood why star-forming galaxies deviate from the ultraviolet colour-attenuation relation of starburst galaxies. Previous work and models hint that the role of the shape of the attenuation curve and the age of stellar populations play an important role. In this paper we aim at understanding the fundamental reasons for this deviation. Methods. We have used the CIGALE spectral energy distribution fitting code to model the far ultraviolet to the far infrared emission of a set of 7 reasonably face-on spiral galaxies from the Herschel Reference Survey on a pixel-by-pixel basis. We explored the influence of a wide range of physical parameters to quantify their influence and impact on any accurate determination of the attenuation from the ultraviolet colour and to discover why normal galaxies do not follow the same relation as starburst galaxies. Results. We have found that the deviation from the starburst relation can be explained best by intrinsic ultraviolet colour differences between different regions in galaxies. Variations in the shape of the attenuation curve can also play a secondary role. Standard age estimators of the stellar populations, such as the D4000 index or the birthrate parameter, prove to be poor predictors of the intrinsic ultraviolet colour. These results are also retrieved on a sample of 58 spiral galaxies drawn from the Herschel Reference Survey sample when considering their integrated fluxes. Conclusions. When correcting the emission of normal star-forming galaxies for the attenuation, it is crucial to consider possible variations in both the intrinsic ultraviolet colour of the stellar populations and the shape of the attenuation curve.
Keywords
DIGITAL SKY SURVEY, HIGH-REDSHIFT, DUST ATTENUATION, SIMILAR-TO 2, ULTRAVIOLET LUMINOSITY DENSITY, infrared: galaxies, SPECTRAL ENERGY-DISTRIBUTION, ultraviolet: galaxies, galaxies: spiral, LYMAN-BREAK GALAXIES, galaxies: star formation, FORMATION HISTORY, FORMATION RATES, STARBURST GALAXIES

Downloads

  • Boquien et al. 2012.pdf
    • full text
    • |
    • open access
    • |
    • PDF
    • |
    • 34.27 MB

Citation

Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:

MLA
Boquien, M., et al. “The IRX-β Relation on Subgalactic Scales in Star-Forming Galaxies of the Herschel Reference Survey.” ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS, vol. 539, 2012, doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201118624.
APA
Boquien, M., Buat, V., Boselli, A., Baes, M., Bendo, G., Ciesla, L., … Spinoglio, L. (2012). The IRX-β relation on subgalactic scales in star-forming galaxies of the Herschel Reference Survey. ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS, 539. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201118624
Chicago author-date
Boquien, M, V Buat, A Boselli, Maarten Baes, GJ Bendo, L Ciesla, A Cooray, et al. 2012. “The IRX-β Relation on Subgalactic Scales in Star-Forming Galaxies of the Herschel Reference Survey.” ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS 539. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201118624.
Chicago author-date (all authors)
Boquien, M, V Buat, A Boselli, Maarten Baes, GJ Bendo, L Ciesla, A Cooray, L Cortese, S Eales, G Gavazzi, HL Gomez, V Lebouteiller, C Pappalardo, M Pohlen, MWL Smith, and L Spinoglio. 2012. “The IRX-β Relation on Subgalactic Scales in Star-Forming Galaxies of the Herschel Reference Survey.” ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS 539. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201118624.
Vancouver
1.
Boquien M, Buat V, Boselli A, Baes M, Bendo G, Ciesla L, et al. The IRX-β relation on subgalactic scales in star-forming galaxies of the Herschel Reference Survey. ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS. 2012;539.
IEEE
[1]
M. Boquien et al., “The IRX-β relation on subgalactic scales in star-forming galaxies of the Herschel Reference Survey,” ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS, vol. 539, 2012.
@article{3001157,
  abstract     = {{Aims. It is still not understood why star-forming galaxies deviate from the ultraviolet colour-attenuation relation of starburst galaxies. Previous work and models hint that the role of the shape of the attenuation curve and the age of stellar populations play an important role. In this paper we aim at understanding the fundamental reasons for this deviation. 
Methods. We have used the CIGALE spectral energy distribution fitting code to model the far ultraviolet to the far infrared emission of a set of 7 reasonably face-on spiral galaxies from the Herschel Reference Survey on a pixel-by-pixel basis. We explored the influence of a wide range of physical parameters to quantify their influence and impact on any accurate determination of the attenuation from the ultraviolet colour and to discover why normal galaxies do not follow the same relation as starburst galaxies. 
Results. We have found that the deviation from the starburst relation can be explained best by intrinsic ultraviolet colour differences between different regions in galaxies. Variations in the shape of the attenuation curve can also play a secondary role. Standard age estimators of the stellar populations, such as the D4000 index or the birthrate parameter, prove to be poor predictors of the intrinsic ultraviolet colour. These results are also retrieved on a sample of 58 spiral galaxies drawn from the Herschel Reference Survey sample when considering their integrated fluxes. 
Conclusions. When correcting the emission of normal star-forming galaxies for the attenuation, it is crucial to consider possible variations in both the intrinsic ultraviolet colour of the stellar populations and the shape of the attenuation curve.}},
  articleno    = {{A145}},
  author       = {{Boquien, M and Buat, V and Boselli, A and Baes, Maarten and Bendo, GJ and Ciesla, L and Cooray, A and Cortese, L and Eales, S and Gavazzi, G and Gomez, HL and Lebouteiller, V and Pappalardo, C and Pohlen, M and Smith, MWL and Spinoglio, L}},
  issn         = {{0004-6361}},
  journal      = {{ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS}},
  keywords     = {{DIGITAL SKY SURVEY,HIGH-REDSHIFT,DUST ATTENUATION,SIMILAR-TO 2,ULTRAVIOLET LUMINOSITY DENSITY,infrared: galaxies,SPECTRAL ENERGY-DISTRIBUTION,ultraviolet: galaxies,galaxies: spiral,LYMAN-BREAK GALAXIES,galaxies: star formation,FORMATION HISTORY,FORMATION RATES,STARBURST GALAXIES}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{17}},
  title        = {{The IRX-β relation on subgalactic scales in star-forming galaxies of the Herschel Reference Survey}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201118624}},
  volume       = {{539}},
  year         = {{2012}},
}

Altmetric
View in Altmetric
Web of Science
Times cited: