Title: Star Formation in thin Disks of Spiral Galaxies Seen Face-On
Abstract: Estimates of the integrated (SFR) and specific (sSFR) rates of star formation are given for 181 galaxies of later Sc, Scd, and Sd types seen almost face-on. Their SFRs were determined from FUV fluxes in the GALEX survey. The median values of the sSFR are: -10.66 dex for Sc, -10.44 dex for Scd, and -10.40 dex for Sd types in units of yr-1. The average value of the sSFR for these galaxies falls off smoothly from low-mass to giant disks. After accounting for photometric errors, the specific star formation rate has a small cosmic variation of 0.16 dex. In order to reproduce the observed stellar mass on a cosmic time of 13.8 Gyr, the galaxies without bulges viewed face-on must have had an SFR two-three times higher in the past than observed now.