Abstract

AbstractResolved observations of nearby galaxies help us to understand the evolution of dwarf galaxies. The star formation histories recovered from their fossil records place strong constraints on how dwarf galaxies have evolved. Using them, we can address questions such as: What is the nature of the first episode of star formation in dwarf galaxies? Are dwarf galaxies able to accrete a significant amount of gas at later times, or is the bulk of the gas in place once the dwarf galaxy establishes its gravitational identity? What processes are responsible for the conversion from gas-rich to gas-poor dwarf galaxies? In the current epoch, we have a wealth of observations which allow us to study the character of the interstellar medium and the process of star formation. How does the interstellar medium change as a function of metallicity? Are there different modes of star formation for different physical conditions (metallicity, mass surface density)? Spatially resolved, recent star formation histories allow us to ask fundamental questions such as: What conditions are required for star formation? What is the impact of the star formation on the structure of the ISM? Does star formation heat the ISM and consequently suppress future star formation, or does it compress the ISM and lead to more star formation? Does understanding star formation at z = 0 help us to understand star formation at higher redshifts?KeywordsDark MatterStar FormationGlobular ClusterStellar PopulationHubble Space TelescopeThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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