Dust and gas in luminous infrared galaxies -- results from SCUBA observations

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2000.03150.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-12T12:58:44Z
• Authors: U. Lisenfeld; K. G. Isaak; R. Hills
• Keywords: Extinction (optical mineralogy); Opacity

We present new data taken at 850 μm with SCUBA the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope for a sample of 19 luminous infrared galaxies. Fourteen galaxies were detected. have used these data, together fluxes 25, 60 and 100 from IRAS, to model dust emission. find that emission most can be described by an optically thin, single temperature exponent extinction coefficient (k∝λ−β) β≃1.4–2. A lower β≃1 is required two galaxies, Arp 220 NGC 4418. discuss various possibilities this difference conclude likely high opacity. In addition, we compare molecular gas mass derived emission, M850 μm, CO MCO, MCO on average factor 2–3 higher than μm.