HII Regions Properties in M101

Radial gradients in both extinction, C(H beta), and O/H are seen in the H II region population -- with a distinct flattening in the O/H gradient seen in the outer disk beginning at about 10 kpc. The luminosity function of the H II region population found is similar to previous studies, though both the high and low ends are sensitive to the threshold levels set. Other parameters, such as the ionization parameters, luminosities, and size distribution, show no evidence for systematic variations with galactocentric distance.

Current star formation processes active in the disk of M101 are analyzed two-dimensionally by comparison of the distribution of ionized and neutral hydrogen. The star formation efficiency shows considerable variation across the disk, suggesting significant spatial variation in the critical density for cloud collapse across the disk of M101 and thus departures from the simple Toomre model.