OBSERVATIONS OF NUCLEAR STAR FORMATION OBSERVATIONS OF ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI

ABSTRACT. Theoretical studies suggest that large-scale stellar bars can be highly effective in delivering gas to the central few hundred parsecs of a spiral galaxy, which may then initiate rapid star formation. Further instabilities may lead to additional inflow to physical scales relevant for active galactic nuclei. We test these predictions in light of recent observations. Compared to unbarred spirals, barred galaxies of type S0-Sbc have a higher probability of exhibiting nuclear star formation, as well as a higher formation rate of massive stars; neither effect is present in spirals of later morphological type. Bars, on the other hand, do not have an obvious influence on active nuclei. We discuss the implications of these findings for the fueling of central star formation and active nuclei