Infrared galaxies
type: Concept
narrower: Ultraluminous infrared galaxies

Ultraluminous infrared galaxies
contributor: AAS Frey.Katie Admin
alternative label: ULIRG
broader: Infrared galaxies
definition: A galaxy that emits more than 90% of its energy in the infrared (8-1000 µm) and whose infrared luminosity exceeds 10^12 solar luminosities. Quasars can also have such high or even higher bolometric luminosities. However LIRGs and ULIRGs emit the bulk of their energy in the infrared. Most of ULIRGs are found in merging and interacting galaxy systems. It is thought that their luminosity results from galactic collisions, which increase the rate of star formation.
modified: 2020-11-04T21:39:37.553Z
modified: 2020-11-04T21:39:25.479Z
type: Concept