Abstract
We examine Lyman continuum extinction (LCE) in H II regions by comparing infrared fluxes of 49 H II regions in the Galaxy, M31, M33, and the Large Megellanic Cloud with estimated production rates of Lyman continuum photons. A typical fraction of Lyman continuum photons that contribute to hydrogen ionization in the H II regions of three spiral galaxies is ≲50%. The fraction may become smaller as the metallicity (or dust-to-gas ratio) increases. We examine the LCE effect on estimated star formation rates of galaxies. The correction factor for the Galactic dust-to-gas ratio is 2-5.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1788-1795 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Astronomical Journal |
| Volume | 122 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2001 Oct |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Dust, extinction
- Galaxies: ISM
- H II regions
- Infrared radiation
- Radio continuum
- Stars: formation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science