Backwards galaxy formation with only a few parameters
Abstract
Description
We present a simple phenomenological model of star formation in galaxies that describes the process with a set of a few parameters. The star formation efficiency and the fraction of gas and metals ejected in outflows are assumed to be the main drivers of star formation. The Tully-Fisher and the Faber-Jackson relations in different passbands are used as constraints in the analysis of disk and elliptical galaxies, respectively. We find that a steep correlation between efficiency and maximum rotation velocity is needed in disk systems, whereas elliptical galaxies can be explained by a high star formation efficiency, uncorrelated with the central velocity dispersion. Gas outflows are not important in disks, whereas a correlation of outflows with galaxy mass must be invoked in early-type galaxies to account for the observed colors.
10 pages, proceedings of "Chemical Enrichment of the ICM and IGM", Vulcano, Italy, May 2001
10 pages, proceedings of "Chemical Enrichment of the ICM and IGM", Vulcano, Italy, May 2001