Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2010-04-16
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics
27 pages, 11 figures; Accepted for publication in A&A
Scientific paper
(Abridged) We perform integral field spectroscopy of a sample of Blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxies with the aim of analyzing their morphology, the spatial distribution of some of their physical properties (excitation, extinction, and electron density) and their relationship with the distribution and evolutionary state of the stellar populations. Integral field spectroscopy observations of the sample galaxies were carried out with the Potsdam Multi-Aperture Spectrophotometer (PMAS) at the 3.5 m telescope at Calar Alto Observatory. An area 16 arcsec x 16 arcsec in size was mapped with a spatial sampling of 1 arcsec x 1 arcsec. We obtained data in the 3590-6996 Angstroms spectral range, with a linear dispersion of 3.2 Angstroms per pixel. From these data we built two-dimensional maps of the flux of the most prominent emission lines, of two continuum bands, of the most relevant line ratios, and of the gas velocity field. Integrated spectra of the most prominent star-forming regions and of whole objects within the FOV were used to derive their physical parameters and the gas metal abundances. Six galaxies display the same morphology both in emission line and in continuum maps; only in two objects, Mrk 32 and Tololo 1434+032, the distributions of the ionized gas and of the stars differ considerably. In general the different excitation maps for a same object display the same pattern and trace the star-forming regions, as expected for objects ionized by hot stars; only the outer regions of Mrk 32, I Zw 123 and I Zw 159 display higher [SII]/Halpha values, suggestive of shocks. Six galaxies display an inhomogeneous dust distribution. Regarding the kinematics, Mrk 750, Mrk 206 and I Zw 159 display a clear rotation pattern, while in Mrk 32, Mrk 475 and I Zw 123 the velocity fields are flat.
Cairos Luz Marina
Caon Nicola
Kehrig Carolina
Roth Marcel
Weilbacher Peter
No associations
LandOfFree
Mapping the properties of blue compact dwarf galaxies: integral field spectroscopy with PMAS 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 Mapping the properties of blue compact dwarf galaxies: integral field spectroscopy with PMAS, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Mapping the properties of blue compact dwarf galaxies: integral field spectroscopy with PMAS will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-624301