Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
1996-07-24
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
20 pages and 6 Postscript figures. Submitted to Astrophysical Journal
Scientific paper
10.1086/303737
We present HST WFPC2 V and I images and GHRS UV spectrophotometry of the spectral regions around Ly$_alpha$ and OI 1302 of the extremely metal-deficient (Z~Zsun/41) blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxy SBS 0335-052. All the star formation in the BCD occurs in six super-star clusters (SSC) with ages =< 3-4 Myr. Dust is clearly present and mixed spatially with the SSCs. There is a supershell of radius ~380 pc, delineating a large supernova cavity. The instantaneous star formation rate is ~0.4 Msun yr^-1. Strong narrow Ly$\alpha$ emission is not observed. Rather there is low intensity broad (FWZI = 20 A) Ly$\alpha$ emission superposed on even broader Ly$\alpha$ absorption by the HI envelope. This broad low-intensity emission is probably caused by resonant scattering of Ly$\alpha$ photons. The BCD appears to be a young galaxy, undergoing its very first burst of star formation. This conclusion is based on the following evidence: 1) the underlying extended low-surface-brightness component is very irregular and filamentary, suggesting that a significant part of the emission comes from ionized gas; 2) it has very blue colors (-0.34 =< (V-I)$_0$ =< 0.16), consistent with gaseous emission colors; 3) the OI 1302 line is not detected in absorption in the GHRS spectrum, setting an upper limit for N(O)/N(H) in the HI envelope of the BCD of more than 3000 times smaller than the value in Orion.
Izotov Yu. I.
Lipovetsky Valentin A.
Thuan Trinh Xuan
No associations
LandOfFree
HST observations of the blue compact dwarf SBS 0335-052: a probable young galaxy 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 HST observations of the blue compact dwarf SBS 0335-052: a probable young galaxy, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and HST observations of the blue compact dwarf SBS 0335-052: a probable young galaxy will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-151112