Molecular Gas in the Starburst Nucleus of M82
Abstract
The authors present 7arcsec resolution CO(1-0) observations of the central ≡1 kpc of M82. These observations have resolved two components of molecular gas: (1) a high concentration in the central 700 pc×200 pc, and (2) extended features that may be gas expelled from the central concentration. Using all available observational data the properties of molecular gas in the nucleus of M82 are derived. Comparisons of M82 to a sample of IR-luminous galaxies suggest that starburst regions in general may have a higher gas temperature and much higher LIR/MH2 than the galactic disk, and that LIR may be essentially proportional to the area of the starburst region.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- January 1987
- DOI:
- 10.1086/164903
- Bibcode:
- 1987ApJ...312..574L
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Maps;
- Galactic Nuclei;
- Gas Dynamics;
- Molecular Gases;
- Peculiar Galaxies;
- Star Formation;
- Starburst Galaxies;
- Astronomical Spectroscopy;
- Data Reduction;
- Galactic Evolution;
- Gas Temperature;
- Astrophysics;
- GALAXIES: INDIVIDUAL MESSIER NUMBER: M82;
- GALAXIES: NUCLEI;
- INTERSTELLAR: MOLECULES;
- STARS: FORMATION