Submillimeter continuum observations of M 82.
Abstract
The submillimeter continuum emission from the core of the irregular galaxy M 82 has been mapped. The 400 micron flux density toward the emission peak is 30 Jy. The upper limit to the 400 micron source size is significantly smaller than the measured size in the J = 1-0 line, a difference probably resulting from a radial decrease in gas and dust temperatures away from the nucleus. The total mass of gas and dust in the inner part of M 82 derived from the submillimeter observations is 80 million solar masses, in good agreement with the values derived from far-IR and 21 cm observations. This agreement supports the suggestion that the clouds containing most of the interstellar mass in the core of M 82 must be more numerous and much less massive than the clouds in the central portion of the Milky Way Galaxy.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- October 1984
- DOI:
- 10.1086/184359
- Bibcode:
- 1984ApJ...285L..31J
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Spectroscopy;
- Continuous Spectra;
- Galactic Structure;
- Mass Distribution;
- Radiant Flux Density;
- Submillimeter Waves;
- Cosmic Dust;
- Cosmic Gases;
- Emission Spectra;
- Galactic Nuclei;
- Line Spectra;
- Optical Thickness;
- Spectral Energy Distribution;
- Astronomy