Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-11-2009
Abstract
We make an inventory of the baryonic and gravitating mass in structures ranging from the smallest galaxies to rich clusters of galaxies. We find that the fraction of baryons converted to stars reaches a maximum between M 500 = 1012 and 1013 M ·, suggesting that star formation is most efficient in bright galaxies in groups. The fraction of baryons detected in all forms deviates monotonically from the cosmic baryon fraction as a function of mass. On the largest scales of clusters, most of the expected baryons are detected, while in the smallest dwarf galaxies, fewer than 1% are detected. Where these missing baryons reside is unclear. © 2010. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Keywords
cosmological parameters, dark matter, galaxies: dwarf, galaxies: irregular, galaxies: spiral
Publication Title
Astrophysical Journal Letters
Grant
908370
Rights
© The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved. This content is free to access, download, and share. For all other uses, you must obtain permission to reuse content: https://journals.aas.org/article-charges-and-copyright/#AAS_material
Recommended Citation
The Baryon Content of Cosmic Structures. Stacy S. McGaugh et al 2010 ApJL 708 L14
Manuscript Version
Final Publisher Version