Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Dec 2000
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000aj....120.2975s&link_type=abstract
The Astronomical Journal, Volume 120, Issue 6, pp. 2975-3006.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
20
Galaxies: Dwarf, Galaxies: Evolution, Galaxies: Fundamental Parameters, Ism: H I
Scientific paper
We present the results from a comparative study of the atomic hydrogen (H I) and optical properties of a sample of 16 dwarf galaxies, chosen to investigate the effects of star formation on the properties of low-mass systems. The violent star formation bursts believed to occur in these low-mass systems suggest a possible connection between the actively star-forming blue compact dwarfs (BCDs), and the quiescent low surface brightness dwarfs (LSBDs). It has been suggested that LSBDs, upon undergoing a burst of star formation, will evolve into BCDs and then back into LSBDs when the star formation slows or stops as the H I column density falls below the critical threshold necessary to support it. We have examined the location and kinematics of H I in eight BCDs and eight LSBDs of similar H I masses and a range of color indices to investigate this ``evolutionary'' sequence. The starburst episodes in these low-mass galaxies should lead to (1) a dispersal/depletion of the H I seen in the eight LSB dwarfs and (2) more centrally concentrated and agitated H I in the eight BCDs. The results of this project indicate that the quiescent LSBD galaxies have more diffuse H I distributions and often show a ringlike structure, while the active galaxies have more highly centrally concentrated H I reservoirs. The bluer, more recently active systems of both types also have higher internal H I velocity dispersions, indicating that energy has been pumped into the interstellar medium of these galaxies. These observations are consistent with an evolutionary scheme wherein the H I reservoirs in these galaxies take on different characteristics depending upon their star formation histories.
Gottesman Stephen T.
Simpson Caroline E.
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