Internal dust correction factors for star formation rates derived for dusty H II regions and starburst galaxies

M. A. Dopita*, B. A. Groves, R. S. Sutherland, L. J. Kewley

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    47 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Star formation rates in galaxies are frequently estimated using the Balmer line fluxes of their H II regions. However, these can be systematically underestimated because dust competes for the absorption of Lyman continuum photons in the ionized gas. This factor cannot be neglected, and in this paper we present theoretical correction factors in a simple analytic form in order to allow observers to take this effect into account when estimating star formation rates from Balmer lines. These factors scale as the product of the ionization parameter, script U sign, and the nebular O/H abundance ratio, both of which can now be derived from the observation of bright nebular line ratios. The correction factors are only somewhat dependent upon the photoelectron production by grains, but are very sensitive to the presence of complex polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-like carbonaceous molecules in the ionized gas, providing that these can survive in such an environment.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)727-731
    Number of pages5
    JournalAstrophysical Journal
    Volume583
    Issue number2 I
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2003

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Internal dust correction factors for star formation rates derived for dusty H II regions and starburst galaxies'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this