The importance of minor-merger-driven star formation and black hole growth in disc galaxies
The importance of minor-merger-driven star formation and black hole growth in disc galaxies
We use the SDSS Stripe 82 to empirically quantify the stellar-mass and black-hole growth triggered by minor mergers in local spiral (disk) galaxies. Since major mergers destroy disks and create spheroids, morphologically disturbed spirals are likely remnants of minor mergers. Disturbed spirals exhibit enhanced specific star formation rates (SSFRs), the …