The volume density of gas in disk galaxies with low HI surface densities

Abstract

Published data on rotation curves and the radial distribution of the surface density of neutral hydrogen (HI) in galaxies with a low gas content are used to calculate radial profiles of the volume density of HI in the planes of the galactic disks. A self-consistent model for the disks is used, taking into account the self-gravitation of the gas and the presence of a pseudo-isothermal, massive halo. Eleven low-surface-brightness (LSB) galaxies and three S0 galaxies in which HI is detected are considered. The gaseous and stellar disks are taken to be in equilibrium and axially symmetric, and the velocity dispersion in the stellar disk to be equal to the marginal value for gravitational perturbations; in general, this gives an upper limit for the gas density. It is shown that, on average, the gas volume densities are two orders of magnitude lower in LSB galaxies than in galaxies with normal brightnesses at the same R values, while the three S0 galaxies occupy an intermediate position. The volume density of gas observed at the galaxy peripheries are less than 10−27 g/cm3, even in the plane of the disk. The role of the UV background in ionizing outer regions is discussed. The obtained gas densities can be used to estimate the star-forming efficiency in regions of low density.