Are There Young Galaxies in the Local Universe: the Age of the Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxy i ZW 18

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Hst Proposal Id #9400

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The question of whether there exists young galaxies in the local universe is important for cosmology. Cold Dark matter models predict that low-mass galaxies could still be forming at the present epoch. In the hierarchical model of galaxy formation, large galaxies result from the merging of smaller structures. These primordial building-block galaxies are too faint and small to be studied at high redshifts, while we stand a much better chance of understanding them if we can find some local examples. One of the best candidates for being a young nearby galaxy forming stars for the first time at the present epoch, is the blue compact dwarf {BCD} galaxy I Zw 18 because of its extremely low heavy element content {2% that of the Sun}. We propose to obtain deep V and I ACS images of I Zw 18. Our goal is to detect or put limits on the red giant branch {RGB} stellar population in this galaxy. If RGB stars are not detected, then we can set an upper limit for the age of I Zw 18 to be less than 1 Gyr. If they are detected, I Zw 18 is not young, and the RGB tip can be used to derive its distance and set limits on the metallicity of the pregalactic gas.

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