We compute the baryonic mass function, psi(S)(M-b)d log M-b, Of disc galaxies using the luminosity functions and baryonic mass-to-light ratios reliable for this goal. On scales from 10(8) M. to 10(11) M. this function is featureless, psi(S) proportional to M-b(-1/2). Outside this mass range psi(S) is a strong inverse function of Mb The contributions to the baryon density Omega(b)(S) from objects of different mass indicate that spirals have a characteristic mass scale at M-b(circle times) similar or equal to 2 X 10(11) M., around which more than 50 per cent of the total baryonic mass is concentrated. The integral value, Omega(b)(S) = (1.4 +/- 0.2) x 10(-3), confirms, to a higher accuracy, previous evidence that the fraction of BBN baryons locked in disc galaxies is negligible and matches that of high-z damped Ly alpha systems (DLAs). We investigate the scenario where DLAs are the progenitors of present-day spirals, and find a simple relationship between their masses and HI column densities by which the DLA mass function closely matches that of spiral discs.
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11767/13884
Titolo: | The baryonic mass function of spiral galaxies: clues to galaxy formation |
Autori: | Salucci P; Persic P |
Rivista: | |
Data di pubblicazione: | 1999 |
Volume: | 309 |
Fascicolo: | 4 |
Pagina iniziale: | 923 |
Pagina finale: | 928 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | 10.1046/j.1365-8711.1999.02913.x |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 1.1 Journal article |