Radial truncations in stellar discs in galaxies

Abstract

We discuss the possible origin of the radial truncations in stellar discs, using measurements that we presented in an earlier paper (Kregel, van der Kruit & de Grijs, 2002). A tentative correlation is found with the de-projected face-on central surface brightness; lower surface brightness discs tend to have a smaller truncation radius in units of scalelength. This and our earlier finding that in smaller spirals the truncation tends to occur at a larger number of scalelengths are best reproduced when the truncation is caused by a constant gas density threshhold on star formation.