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A more direct measure of supernova rates in starburst galaxies

1994; IOP Publishing; Volume: 431; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1086/174515

1538-4357

D. van Buren, Matthew A. Greenhouse,

Astronomy and Astrophysical Research

view Abstract Citations (47) References (22) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS A More Direct Measure of Supernova Rates in Starburst Galaxies van Buren, Dave ; Greenhouse, Matthew A. Abstract We determine ages for young supernova remnants in the starburst galaxies M 82 and NGC 253 by applying Chevalier's model for radio emission from supernova blast waves expanding into the ejecta of their precursor stars. Absolute ages are determined by calibrating the model with radio observations of Cas A. We derive supernova rates of 0.10 and 0.08 yr^-1^ for M 82 and NGC 253, respectively. Assuming L_FIR_ to be proportional to the supernova rate, we find r_SN_ ~ 2 x 10^-12^ x L_FIR,sun_ yr^-1^ for these archetypal starburst galaxies. This approach is unique in that the supernova rate is derived from direct observation of supernova remnants rather than from star formation rates and an assumed initial mass function (IMF). We suggest that the approach presented here can be used to derive star-formation rates that are more directly related to observable quantities than those derived by other methods. We find that the supernova rate, FIR luminosity, and dynamical mass of the M82 starburst place few constraints on the IMF slope and mass limits. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: August 1994 DOI: 10.1086/174515 Bibcode: 1994ApJ...431..640V Keywords: Galactic Evolution; Radio Emission; Star Formation Rate; Starburst Galaxies; Supernova Remnants; Supernovae; Cosmology; Far Infrared Radiation; Luminosity; Stellar Mass; Stellar Mass Ejection; Astrophysics; GALAXIES: STARBURST; GALAXIES: STELLAR CONTENT; ISM: SUPERNOVA REMNANTS full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (3) NED (2)