Abstract

view Abstract Citations (44) References (24) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Near-Infrared Line and Continuum Emission from the Blue Dwarf Galaxy II ZW 40 Joy, Marshall ; Lester, Daniel F. Abstract New near-infrared line and continuum measurements of the dwarf galaxy II Zw 40 are analyzed to determine the physical processes responsible for the near-infrared and radio emission. Our results indicate that nebular recombination emission and photospheric radiation from young blue stars produce most of the near-infrared continuum emission in the central 6" (200 pc) of II Zw 40; the derived nebular recombination level is in good agreement with independent observations of the radio free-free continuum. We find that evolved stars, which dominate the near-infrared emission from normal galaxies, contribute no more than 25% of the total 2.2 micron flux in the central region of II Zw 40, indicating that the total mass of the evolved stellar population in the central 400 pc of the galaxy is less than 2 x 10^7^ M_sun_. The total mass of recently formed stars inferred from the integrated infrared luminosity (1.5 x 10^9^ L_sun_) is ~2 x 10^6^ M_sun_, resulting in a stellar mass ratio (M_OBA_/M_evolved_~0.1) which is exceptionally large compared to the nominal value M_OBA_/M_evolved_~ 10^-4^. Thus, II Zw 40 is a guintessential starburst galaxy; recently formed stars are so numerous that they overwhelm the evolved stellar population, even in the near-infrared spectral region where evolved stars shine most brightly. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: August 1988 DOI: 10.1086/166544 Bibcode: 1988ApJ...331..145J Keywords: Blue Stars; Continuous Radiation; Dwarf Galaxies; Galactic Nuclei; Line Spectra; Near Infrared Radiation; Early Stars; Galactic Mass; Photosphere; Star Formation; Astronomy; GALAXIES: INDIVIDUAL ALPHANUMERIC: II ZW 40; GALAXIES: NUCLEI; GALAXIES: STELLAR CONTENT full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (1) NED (1)

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.