Modelling the spectro-photometric and chemical evolution of Low Surface Brightness spiral galaxies

Abstract

We investigate the star formation history and chemical evolution of Low Surface Brightness (LSB) spiral galaxies by means of their observed spectro-photometric and chemical properties. We present preliminary results for Johnson-Cousins UBVRI magnitudes and stellar [O/H] abundance ratios using a galactic chemical evolution model incorporating a detailed metallicity dependent set of stellar input data covering all relevant stages of stellar evolution. Comparison of our model results with observations confirms the idea that LSB galaxies are relatively unevolved systems. However, we argue that recent and ongoing massive star formation plays an important role in determining the colours of many LSB spirals. We briefly discuss these results in the context of the spectral evolution of spiral galaxies in general.