Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
May 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006sptz.prop30669h&link_type=abstract
Spitzer Proposal ID #30669
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
Galaxy formation is one of the critical issues in extragalactic astronomy. WMAP has shown that the hierarchical or "bottoms up" scenario is the most likely mode of galaxy formation in the early Universe. Unfortunately, current instruments are not capable of directly observing the "building blocks" in the epoch of galaxy formation, z >~ 8. However, there are numerous low metallicity, Z ~ Z_solar/40, blue compact dwarf galaxies, BCDs, that may mimic the development of galaxies in the early Universe. Infrared studies of these local BCDs can trace the evolution of star formation and the subsequent enrichment of the ISM and the formation of dust grains. Through the infrared we can identify the grain types, their abundances and their interactions with the ISM. It is well documented that there is too little gas in BCDs to sustain the observed star bursts for more than a fraction of the Hubble time. Either more gas is accreted or the star bursts are episodic or both. There is growing evidence that the episodes star formation are triggered by interactions or merging of the host galaxy and an HI cloud or another dwarf galaxy. In either event the mass of the host galaxy grows. In this proposal we plan to use Spitzer/IRS to observe both the formation and properties of dust in very low metallicity BCDs and infrared properties of BCDs that show indications of interacting or merging with another nearby dwarf or HI cloud. This observation, if successful, will unvail stunning secretes in the Universe.
Charmandaris Vassilis
Hao Lei
Houck James R.
Wu Yanling
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