Radial distribution of gas and dust in spiral galaxies: the case of M 99 (NGC 4254) and M 100 (NGC 4321)

M. Pohlen, L. Cortese, M. W. L. Smith, S. A. Eales, A. Boselli, G. J. Bendo, H. L. Gomez, A. Papageorgiou, R. Auld, M. Baes, J. J. Bock, M. Bradford, V. Buat, N. Castro-Rodriguez, P. Chanial, S. Charlot, L. Ciesla, D. L. Clements, A. Cooray, D. CormierE. Dwek, S. A. Eales, D. Elbaz, M. Galametz, F. Galliano, W. K. Gear, J. Glenn, M. Griffin, S. Hony, K. G. Isaak, L. R. Levenson, N. Lu, S. Madden, B. O'Halloran, K. Okumura, S. Oliver, M. J. Page, P. Panuzzo, T. J. Parkin, I. Perez-Fournon, N. Rangwala, E. E. Rigby, H. Roussel, A. Rykala, N. Sacchi, M. Sauvage, B. Schulz, M. R. P. Schirm, M. W. L. Smith, L. Spinoglio, Jason Stevens, S. Srinivasan, M. Symeonidis, M. Trichas, M. Vaccari, L. Vigroux, C. D. Wilson, H. Wozniak, G. S. Wright, W. W. Zeilinger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Citations (Scopus)
61 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

By combining Herschel-SPIRE data with archival Spitzer, H i , and CO maps, we investigate the spatial distribution of gas and dust in the two famous grand-design spirals M 99 and M 100 in the Virgo cluster. Thanks to the unique resolution and sensitivity of the Herschel-SPIRE photometer, we are for the first time able to measure the distribution and extent of cool, submillimetre (submm)-emitting dust inside and beyond the optical radius. We compare this with the radial variation in both the gas mass and the metallicity. Although we adopt a model-independent, phenomenological approach, our analysis provides important insights. We find the dust extending to at least the optical radius of the galaxy and showing breaks in its radial profiles at similar positions as the stellar distribution. The colour indices f350/f500 and f250/f350 decrease radially consistent with the temperature decreasing with radius. We also find evidence of an increasing gas to dust ratio with radius in the outer regions of both galaxies.
Original languageEnglish
Article numberL72
Number of pages5
JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics
Volume518
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2010

Keywords

  • galaxies: structure, galaxies: individual: M 99, galaxies: individual: M 100, infrared: galaxies, ISM: dust, extinction, submillimetre: galaxies

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Radial distribution of gas and dust in spiral galaxies: the case of M 99 (NGC 4254) and M 100 (NGC 4321)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this