Bibcode
Casuso, E.; Beckman, J. E.
Bibliographical reference
The Astronomical Journal, Volume 139, Issue 4, pp. 1406-1412 (2010).
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4
2010
Citations
8
Refereed citations
8
Description
We present here a new theoretical model designed to explain the
interstellar dust grain size distribution function (IDGSDF), and compare
its results with previous observationally derived distributions and with
previous theoretical models. The range of grain sizes produced in the
late stages of stars with different masses is considered, and folded
into a model which takes into account the observed changes in the
historical local star formation rate. Stars in different mass ranges
reach their grain producing epochs at times whose mass dependence is
quantifiable, and the range of grain sizes produced has also been
estimated as a function of stellar mass. The results show an IDGSDF that
has a global slope comparable to the observationally derived plot and
three peaks at values of the grain radius comparable to those in the
observationally derived distribution, which have their ultimate origin
in three major peaks which have been observed in the star formation rate
(SFR) over the past 15 Gyr. The model uses grain-grain interactions to
modify pre-existing size distributions at lower grain sizes, where
collisions appear more important. The interactions include disruption by
collisions as well as coagulation to form larger grains. The initial
distributions are given a range of initial functions (flat, Gaussian,
fractal) for their physical parameters, as well as geometrical forms
ranging from spherical to highly elongated. The particles are
constrained in an imaginary box, and laws of inelastic collisions are
applied. Finally, we combine the two models and produce an IDGSDF which
is a notably good match to the observational fit, and specifically at
small grain radii reproduces the data better than the "SFR model" alone.
Related projects
Kinematic, Structural and Composition Studies of the Interstellar and Intergalactic Media
The basic objective of the broject is to investigate the evolution of galaxies by deepening our understanding of the interaction between the insterstellar medium and the stars.The main technique which we use is the two-dimensional kinematic study of whole galaxies observed using our instrument:GHaFaS, a Fabry-Perot interferometer on the William
Prof.
John E. Beckman