The Evidence for Massive Star Formation in Early-Type Spiral Galaxies

A recent analysis of the IRAS database indicates that the massive star formation rates in early-type (Sa-Sab) spirals are comparable to the massive star formation rates in late-type spirals. $H\alpha$ imaging of some of the infrared luminous early-type spirals reveals two types of galaxies. One type shows clear signs of interaction, whereas the other type appears to host a nuclear starburst. The occurence of nuclear starbursts in early-type spirals may be related to the propensity for such galaxies to also host Seyfert nuclei. The evidence for interactions suggests that early-type spirals are evolving in the current epoch.