UV Signposts of Resonant Dynamics in Disk Galaxies

• Main Authors: Waller, William H, Winslow, Christine, Fanelli, Michael, Stecher, Theodore B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 09-12-1998
• Subjects: Physics - Astrophysics of Galaxies; Physics - Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics; Physics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics; Physics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena; Physics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics; Physics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.astro-ph/9812188

Imaging in the restframe ultraviolet has proven to be an effective and vital
means of tracing dynamical patterns of star formation in galaxies out to high
redshifts. Using images from the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UIT), Hubble
Space Telescope (HST) and complementary groundbased telescopes, we have
investigated the starburst activity and associated dynamics in nearby
early-type disk galaxies. Concentrating on the starburst-ring (R)SA(r)ab galaxy
M94 (NGC 4736), we find compelling evidence for bar-mediated resonances as the
primary drivers of evolution at the present epoch. Similar ring-bar dynamics
may prevail in the centers of early-type disk galaxies at high redshift. The
gravitationally-lensed "Pretzel Galaxy" (0024+1654) at a redshift of ~1.5
provides an important precedent in this regard.