1997 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
Infrared Study of Mass Distribution in Extra Galactiv Halo
| Project/Area Number |
08454050
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
Astronomy
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| Research Institution | KYOTO UNIVERSITY |
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Principal Investigator |
MAIHARA Toshinori Kyoto-University, Department of Physics, Associate Professor, 大学院・理学研究科, 助教授 (90025445)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
TSURU Takeshi Kyoto-Univ., Department of Physics, Instructor, 大学院・理学研究科, 助手 (10243007)
IWAMURO Humihide Kyoto-Univ., Department of Physics, Instructor, 大学院・理学研究科, 助手 (80281088)
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| Project Period (FY) |
1996 – 1997
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| Keywords | IR / Galaxies / Galactic Halo / Low Mass Star / Dark Matter / Galactic Structure |
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| Research Abstract |
There have so far not been definite and consistent interpretations about the source of gravitational mass in a galaxy. the visible stellar mass is not sufficient to explain the so-called flat rotation velocity in the outskirt of galaxies. In this observational research, we attempt to measure the surface brightness distribution of halo region of an external galaxy to examine the contribution of faint low-mass stars in the halo.
We have oabtained observational results in both the visible and near-infrared bands of faint emission of the extended halo in one of edge-on spiral galaxies called 'UGC7617', using our unique instrument called OHS mounted on the UH telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. With this observations, we have found a diffuse emission component of a very red color in the halo region. Based on the spectral energy distribution as well as spatial distribution of the emission component, and also by constructing a model of the galaxy, we have inferred the representative types of low-mass stars detected and thus estimated the stellar contribution to the total mass of the halo.
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