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Paper: Gas Properties in the Starburst Centers of Barred Galaxies
Volume: 249, The Central Kiloparsec of Starbursts and AGN: the La Palma Connection
Page: 619
Authors: Hüttemeister, S.; Aalto, S.
Abstract: The physical properties of molecular gas can be deduced from the analysis of line intensity ratios, most commonly of the CO isotopomers 12CO and 13CO. Barred galaxies, especially those with central starbursts, provide an excellent laboratory to study the changing properties of the gas as it approaches the center. Four galaxies (UGC 2855, UGC 2866, NGC 7479 and NGC 4123) are presented as examples of the results that can be obtained. Special attention is given to the case of (abnormally) high 12CO / 13CO (cal R12/13) line ratios (exceeding 20), which may indicate unusual gas properties. Qualitative scenarios for the structure of the ISM explaining a range of values of cal R12/13 are discussed.
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