Jenkins, Nicole (2025) The Spatial Distribution of Star Formation in Merging Galaxies. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
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Abstract
Star formation (SF) is central to galaxy evolution, yet its spatial distribution remains an open question. Using spatially resolved spectroscopy from the SAMI Galaxy Survey, combined with GAMA-derived morphology, environment, and merger classifications, I investigate how mergers and structural features regulate both the location and efficiency of SF.
Merging systems consistently exhibit both enhanced star formation rate (SFR) and specific SFR (sSFR) relative to isolated galaxies, producing broader distributions with extended high activity tails. Radial profiles show that SF is centrally concentrated across all systems, but mergers induce significant enhancements in outer regions, albeit in lower density. Pair separation further modulates activity: the closest pairs display the strongest boosts in SF activity, while widely separated systems exhibit diminished efficiency.
Merger ratio and morphology introduce further complexity. Minor mergers produce the highest median SFR and sSFR, whereas major mergers display the widest spread in SF activity. Bulgedominated galaxies respond most strongly to interactions, displaying pronounced merger-driven starbursts across the nucleus and intermediate radii. In contrast, late-type systems exhibit moderate enhancements, and early-type galaxies remain largely quiescent. Bars elevate global SF in merging galaxies, but exert little radial influence during mergers compared with isolated systems.
This work demonstrates that mergers enhance star formation across all galactic regions, with the most substantial effects concentrated in nuclear cores and shaped by merger ratio, morphology, and pair separation. These results underscore the importance of spatially resolved analyses in disentangling the diverse pathways through which galaxies grow and transform.
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Statistics for this ePrint Item |
| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - No Department (1 Jul 2013 -) |
| Supervisors: | McElroy, Rebecca |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 17 Feb 2026 02:03 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Feb 2026 02:03 |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/53128 |
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