Infrared spectroscopy of blue dwarf galaxies

L. Vanzi, G. H. Rieke

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present a survey of the near-infrared emission lines of eight blue dwarf galaxies. These galaxies have advantages for study of the excitation of the interstellar medium by starbursts because the effects are relatively undiluted by the quiescent stellar population, the star formation episodes usually appear to be of short duration, and the effects of metallicity can be examined. Diagnostic tools for the interpretation of [Fe II](1.64) and H2(2.12) emission lines emitted by starburst galaxies are developed and the results are compared with a starburst model. We confirm that the [Fe II](1.64) line is mainly excited in supernova remnants, but the H2 emission appears to arise from a variety of different excitation mechanisms. Many of the galaxies show evidence for a fluorescently excited component of H2. The temperature of the hot stellar population is analyzed by means of the He I(1.70 μm) emission line and compared with estimates from the [O II]/Hβ ratio in the optical and from the mid-infrared fine structure lines. The agreement is reasonably good, although there appears to be a tendency for the temperature to be overestimated by use of the [O III]/Hβ ratio.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)694-701
Number of pages8
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume479
Issue number2 PART I
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997

Keywords

  • Galaxies: ISM
  • Galaxies: starburst
  • Infrared: galaxies
  • Surveys

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Infrared spectroscopy of blue dwarf galaxies'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this