Radial truncations in stellar discs in galaxies
arXiv:astro-ph/0408125 · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2004.08307.x
Abstract
We discuss the possible origin of the radial truncations in stellar discs, using measurements that we presented in an earlier paper (Kregel, van der Kruit & de Grijs, 2002). A tentative correlation is found with the de-projected face-on central surface brightness; lower surface brightness discs tend to have a smaller truncation radius in units of scalelength. This and our earlier finding that in smaller spirals the truncation tends to occur at a larger number of scalelengths are best reproduced when the truncation is caused by a constant gas density threshhold on star formation.
Accepted for publication by Mon. Not. R.A.S