Journal article
THE FORMATION OF KILOPARSEC-SCALE H I HOLES IN DWARF GALAXIES
The Astrophysical journal, Vol.738(1), pp.10-jQuery1323904102426='48'
09/01/2011
DOI: 10.1088/0004-637X/738/1/10
Abstract
The origin of kpc-scale holes in the atomic hydrogen (H I) distributions of some nearby dwarf irregular galaxies presents an intriguing problem. Star formation histories (SFHs) derived from resolved stars give us the unique opportunity to study past star-forming events that may have helped shape the currently visible Hi distribution. Our sample of five nearby dwarf irregular galaxies spans over an order of magnitude in both total Hi mass and absolute B-band magnitude and is at the low-mass end of previously studied systems. We use Very Large Array Hi line data to estimate the energy required to create the centrally dominant hole in each galaxy. We compare this energy estimate to the past energy released by the underlying stellar populations computed from SFHs derived from data taken with the Hubble Space Telescope. The inferred integrated stellar energy released within the characteristic ages exceeds our energy estimates for creating the holes in all cases, assuming expected efficiencies. Therefore, it appears that stellar feedback provides sufficient energy to produce the observed holes. However, we find no obvious signature of single star-forming events responsible for the observed structures when comparing the global SFHs of each galaxy in our sample to each other or to those of dwarf irregular galaxies reported in the literature. We also fail to find evidence of a central star cluster in FUV or H alpha imaging. We conclude that large Hi holes are likely formed from multiple generations of star formation and only under suitable interstellar medium conditions.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- THE FORMATION OF KILOPARSEC-SCALE H I HOLES IN DWARF GALAXIES
- Creators
- Steven R. Warren - University of MinnesotaDaniel R. Weisz - University of WashingtonEvan D. Skillman - University of MinnesotaJohn M. Cannon - Macalester CollegeJulianne J. Dalcanton - University of WashingtonAndrew E. Dolphin - RTXRobert C. Kennicutt - University of CambridgeBaerbel Koribalski - Australia Telescope National FacilityJuergen Ott - National Radio Astronomy ObservatoryAdrienne M. Stilp - University of WashingtonSchuyler D. Van Dyk - California Institute of TechnologyFabian Walter - Max Planck Institute for AstronomyAndrew A. West - Boston University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Astrophysical journal, Vol.738(1), pp.10-jQuery1323904102426='48'
- Publisher
- Iop Publishing Ltd
- DOI
- 10.1088/0004-637X/738/1/10
- ISSN
- 0004-637X
- eISSN
- 1538-4357
- Number of pages
- 21
- Grant note
- Penrose Fellowship 0955300 / Division Of Astronomical Sciences; National Science Foundation (NSF); NSF - Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences (MPS) 807515 / NRAO through the National Science Foundation ST/H00243X/1 / Science and Technology Facilities Council; UK Research & Innovation (UKRI); Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) NAS 5-26555 / NASA; National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) 0968296 / Office Of Internatl Science &Engineering; National Science Foundation (NSF); NSF - Office of the Director (OD)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/01/2011
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984627315102771