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arXiv · 1101.3577

Radiation Pressure Feedback in Galaxies

Brett H. Andrews·Todd A. Thompson
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Abstract

We evaluate radiation pressure from starlight on dust as a feedback mechanism in star-forming galaxies by comparing the luminosity and flux of star-forming systems to the dust Eddington limit. The linear LFIR--L'HCN correlation provides evidence that galaxies may be regulated by radiation pressure feedback. We show that star-forming galaxies approach but do not dramatically exceed Eddington, but many systems are significantly below Eddington, perhaps due to the "intermittency" of star formation. Better constraints on the dust-to-gas ratio and the CO- and HCN-to-H2 conversion factors are needed to make a definitive assessment of radiation pressure as a feedback mechanism.

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Brett H. Andrews, Todd A. Thompson. 2011-01-18. Radiation Pressure Feedback in Galaxies. https://doi.org/10.1051/eas%2F1152045

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