[CII] at 158 mu m as a star formation tracer in late-type galaxies

Abstract

We present a calibration of the massive star formation rate vs. [CII] luminosity relation based on a sample of nearby, late-type galaxies observed with ISO-LWS and imaged in the Hα +[NII] line. The relation holds for far-IR luminosities 10⁸ <= L_FIR <=10^10.5 L_sun. The derived star formation rates have an uncertainty of about a factor of 10. Part of this uncertainty is due to the different mix of contributions to the [CII] emission from the different components of the interstellar medium in individual galaxies, as discussed in an appendix.