Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2001-11-13
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Accepted for publication in A&A
Scientific paper
10.1051/0004-6361:20011553
We present results of two 21-cm HI surveys performed with the Australia Telescope Compact Array in the nearby Centaurus A and Sculptor galaxy groups. These surveys are sensitive to compact HI clouds and galaxies with HI masses as low as 3E+06 Msun, and are therefore among the most sensitive extragalactic HI surveys to date. The surveys consist of sparsely spaced pointings that sample approximately 2% of the groups' area on the sky. We detected previously known group members, but we found no new HI clouds or galaxies down to the sensitivity limit of the surveys. If the HI mass function had a faint end slope of alpha = 1.5 below M_{HI} = 10^{7.5} Msun in these groups, we would have expected ~3 new objects. Cold dark matter theories of galaxy formation predict the existence of a large number low mass DM sub-halos that might appear as tiny satellites in galaxy groups. Our results support and extend similar conclusions derived from previous HI surveys that a HI rich population of these satellites does not exist.
Briggs Frank H.
de Blok J. G. W.
Dijkstra Marjolein
Freeman Ken C.
Zwaan Martin A.
No associations
LandOfFree
An HI survey of the Centaurus and Sculptor Groups - Constraints on the space density of low mass galaxies does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with An HI survey of the Centaurus and Sculptor Groups - Constraints on the space density of low mass galaxies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and An HI survey of the Centaurus and Sculptor Groups - Constraints on the space density of low mass galaxies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-631843