We study the morphology and star formation properties of 159 local luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs) using multicolor images from Data Release 2 (DR2) of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). The LIRGs are selected from a cross-correlation analysis between the Infrared Astronomical Satellite ( IRAS ) survey and SDSS. They are all brighter than 15.9 mag in the r band and below redshift ~0.1, and so can be reliably classified morphologically. We find that the fractions of interacting/merging and spiral galaxies are ~48% and ~40%, respectively. Our results complement and confirm the decline (increase) in the fraction of spiral (interacting/merging) galaxies from z ~ 1 to 0.1, as found by Melbourne et al. About 75% of spiral galaxies in the local LIRGs are barred, indicating that bars may play an important role in triggering star formation rates ≳20 M ☉ yr -1 in the local universe. Compared with high-redshift LIRGs, local LIRGs have lower specific star formation rates, smaller cold gas fractions, and a narrower range of stellar masses. Local LIRGs appear to be either merging galaxies forming intermediate-mass elliptical galaxies, or spiral galaxies undergoing high star formation activities regulated by bars.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Wang et al. (2006) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 4 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: