Structure and kinematics of the interstellar medium in the star-forming region in the BCD galaxy VII Zw 403 (UGC 6456)

Abstract

The structure and kinematics of ionized gas in the star-forming region in the BCD galaxy VIIZw403 (UGC6456) are analyzed using observations with the SCORPIO focal reducer on the 6-m Special Astrophysical Observatory telescope in three modes: direct imaging (in the H-alpha, [OIII], and [SII] lines), long-slit spectroscopy, and spectroscopy with a scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer. In addition to the previously known bright HII regions and the faint giant ring that surrounds the entire star-forming region, many new faint diffuse and arc structures have been detected. Fine structure of the giant ring has been revealed. We do not confirm the previously detected expansion of the bright shells around young stellar associations with a velocity of 50-70 km/s. We have estimated their expansion velocities to be no higher than 15-20 km/s; the corresponding kinematic age, no younger than 3-4 Myr, agrees well with the age of the compact OB associations related to them. We associate the faint extended filamentary and diffuse regions of ionized gas identified in nearly the entire central region of the galaxy and the giant HII ring with the older (10 Myr) stellar population of the most recent starburst. Weak high-velocity [OIII] and H-alpha line wings (up to 300 km/s from the line center) have been detected in the brightest HII region. Such velocities have been observed in the galaxy for the first time. The previously published H-alpha luminosity measurements for the galaxy are refined.