Published in Galaxy Wars: Stellar Populations and Star Formation in Interacting Galaxies, ASP Conference Series Vol. 423, proceedings of a conference held 19-22 July 2009 at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA. Edited by Beverly Smith, Nate Bastian, Sarah J. U. Higdon, and James L. Higdon. San Francisco: Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 2010., p.12.
astro-ph/1003.4691

For a PDF version of the article, click here.

Abstract: Compared with ordinary spirals, the ISM in ring galaxies experiences markedly different physical conditions and evolution. As a result, ring galaxies provide interesting perspectives on the triggering/quenching of large scale star formation and the destructive effects of massive stars on molecular cloud complexes. We use high resolution radio, sub-mm, infrared, and optical data to investigate the role of gravitational stability in star formation regulation, factors influencing the ISM's molecular fraction, and evidence of peculiar star formation laws and efficiencies in two highly evolved ring galaxies: Cartwheel and the Lindsay-Shapley ring.

Table of Contents

• INTRODUCTION
• STAR FORMATION RATES IN RING GALAXIES
• THE INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM IN RING GALAXIES
• Atomic Hydrogen
• Molecular Gas in the L-S Ring Galaxy
• STAR FORMATION PROCESSES IN THE RING
• The Role of Gravitational Instabilities
• Evidence for Peculiar Star Formation Laws
• Enhanced Star Formation Efficiencies
• WHY IS THE MOLECULAR GAS FRACTION SO LOW?
• SUMMARY AND FUTURE PROSPECTS
• REFERENCES