Open AccessStar formation and feedback in smoothed particle hydrodynamic simulations – I. Isolated galaxies
Author(s) -
Stinson Greg,
Seth Anil,
Katz Neal,
Wadsley James,
Governato Fabio,
Quinn Tom
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2006.11097.x
Subject(s) - physics , smoothed particle hydrodynamics , star formation , astrophysics , supernova , galaxy , milky way , galaxy formation and evolution , astronomy
ABSTRACT We present an analysis of star formation and feedback recipes appropriate for galactic smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations. Using an isolated Milky Way‐like galaxy, we constrain these recipes based on well‐established observational results. Our star formation recipe is based on that of Katz with the additional inclusion of physically motivated supernova feedback recipes. We propose a new feedback recipe in which Type II supernovae are modelled using an analytical treatment of blastwaves. With this feedback mechanism and a tuning of other star formation parameters, the star formation in our isolated Milky Way‐like galaxy follows the slope and normalization of the observed Schmidt law. In addition, we reproduce the low‐density cut‐off and filamentary structure of star formation observed in disc galaxies. Our final recipe will enable better comparison of N ‐body simulations with observations.