Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2000-04-28
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
17 pages, 27 figures, accepted by A&A. Needs natbib 6.9 to compile
Scientific paper
We present deep optical B, V, R images of a sample of 10 interacting systems which were selected for their resemblance to disturbed galaxies at high redshift. Photometry is performed on knots in the tidal features of the galaxies. We calculate a grid of evolutionary synthesis models with two metallicities and various burst strengths for systems consisting of some fraction of the stellar population of a progenitor spiral plus starburst. By comparison with two-color diagrams we interpret the photometric data, select from a total of about 100 condensations 36 star-forming objects that are located in the tidal features and predict their further evolution. Being more luminous by 4 mag than normal HII regions we argue that these objects could be tidal dwarf galaxies or their progenitors, although they differ in number and mean luminosity from the already known tidal dwarf galaxies typically located at the end of tidal tails in nearby giant interacting systems. From comparison with our models we note that all objects show young burst ages. The young stellar component formed in these tidal dwarf candidates contributes up to 18% to the total stellar mass at the end of the starburst and dominates the optical luminosity. This may result in fading by up to 2.5 mag in B during the next 200 Myrs after the burst.
Alvensleben Uta Fritze--v.
Duc Pierre-Alain
Fricke Klaus J.
Martin Pamela
Weilbacher Peter M.
No associations
LandOfFree
Tidal dwarf candidates in a sample of interacting 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 Tidal dwarf candidates in a sample of interacting galaxies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tidal dwarf candidates in a sample of interacting galaxies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-397849