Low surface brightness galaxies

Chris Impey, Greg Bothun

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

231 Scopus citations

Abstract

The properties of galaxies that are lower in surface brightness than the dark night sky are reviewed. There are substantial selection effects against the discovery of galaxies that are unevolved or diffuse; these systems are missing from most wide field catalogs. Low surface brightness galaxies make up a significant amount of the luminosity density of the local universe. They contribute substantial but poorly determined amounts to the census of baryons and dark matter. Low surface brightness galaxies are also relevant to the interpretation of quasar absorption lines and to the understanding of rapidly evolving galaxy populations in the more distant universe. Theories of galaxy formation and evolution must accomodate the properties of these diffuse stellar systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)267-307
Number of pages41
JournalAnnual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics
Volume35
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997

Keywords

  • Cosmology
  • Galaxy morphology
  • Luminosity function
  • Physical properties
  • Quasar absorption

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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