Abstract
The opacity of the disks of spiral galaxies can be evaluated by studying the gaseous component in edge-on galaxies in several wavelength regions. By combining data of the galaxy NGC 891 at 21 cm (H I), 2.6 mm (CO), and Hα, we show that the outer regions are transparent, while the inner regions, out to the radius to which CO is detected, could be optically thick. For the small galaxy NGC 100, such data indicate that this galaxy is by and large transparent, despite the presence of dust patches in the optical image. These results confirm the claim that spiral galaxies are transparent, at least in the outer parts, and clearly contradict the claim by Valentijn (1991) that the dark matter in spiral galaxies resides in the disk, in the form of absorbing clouds particularly abundant in the outer parts.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
| Volume | 400 |
| Issue number | 1 PART 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 1992 Nov 20 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science
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The opacity of spiral disks. / Bosma, A.; Byun, Yong-Ik; Freeman, K. C.; Athanassoula, E.
In: Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 400, No. 1 PART 2, 20.11.1992.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - The opacity of spiral disks
AU - Bosma, A.
AU - Byun, Yong-Ik
AU - Freeman, K. C.
AU - Athanassoula, E.
PY - 1992/11/20
Y1 - 1992/11/20
N2 - The opacity of the disks of spiral galaxies can be evaluated by studying the gaseous component in edge-on galaxies in several wavelength regions. By combining data of the galaxy NGC 891 at 21 cm (H I), 2.6 mm (CO), and Hα, we show that the outer regions are transparent, while the inner regions, out to the radius to which CO is detected, could be optically thick. For the small galaxy NGC 100, such data indicate that this galaxy is by and large transparent, despite the presence of dust patches in the optical image. These results confirm the claim that spiral galaxies are transparent, at least in the outer parts, and clearly contradict the claim by Valentijn (1991) that the dark matter in spiral galaxies resides in the disk, in the form of absorbing clouds particularly abundant in the outer parts.
AB - The opacity of the disks of spiral galaxies can be evaluated by studying the gaseous component in edge-on galaxies in several wavelength regions. By combining data of the galaxy NGC 891 at 21 cm (H I), 2.6 mm (CO), and Hα, we show that the outer regions are transparent, while the inner regions, out to the radius to which CO is detected, could be optically thick. For the small galaxy NGC 100, such data indicate that this galaxy is by and large transparent, despite the presence of dust patches in the optical image. These results confirm the claim that spiral galaxies are transparent, at least in the outer parts, and clearly contradict the claim by Valentijn (1991) that the dark matter in spiral galaxies resides in the disk, in the form of absorbing clouds particularly abundant in the outer parts.
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M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:11944273875
VL - 400
JO - Astrophysical Journal
JF - Astrophysical Journal
SN - 0004-637X
IS - 1 PART 2
ER -