NASA NTRS · 19870051079
The most luminous far-infrared extragalactic sources
Abstract
Extremely luminous far-infrared sources are difficult to explain as active sites of star formation, because their ratios of optical-to-infrared luminosities are extremely low. It is shown that brief intervals during which interacting galaxies collide can account for extremely high (more than 10 to the 11th) solar luminosities. The small fraction of the population that exhibits extreme luminosity also roughly equals the fraction of spiral galaxies expected to be observed undergoing collisions at any given time. A number of potential tests that would distinguish the model from others is proposed.
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Harwit, M., Houck, J. R., Soifer, B. T., Palumbo, G. G. C.. 1987-04-01. The most luminous far-infrared extragalactic sources. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19870051079
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.