Metal-poor Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxy Research Articles

Reaching the Oldest Stars beyond the Local Group: Ancient Star Formation in UGC 4483*

Abstract We present new WFC3/UVIS observations of UGC 4483, the closest example of a metal-poor blue compact dwarf galaxy, with a metallicity of Z ≃ 1/15 Z ⊙ and located at a distance of D ≃ 3.4 Mpc. The extremely high quality of our new data allows us to clearly resolve the multiple stellar evolutionary phases populating the color–magnitude diagram (CMD), to reach more than 4 mag deeper than the tip of the red giant branch, and to detect for the first time core He-burning stars with masses ≲2 M ⊙, populating the red clump and possibly the horizontal branch (HB) of the galaxy. By applying the synthetic CMD method to our observations, we determine an average star formation rate over the whole Hubble time of at least ( 7.01 ± 0.44 ) × 10 − 4 M ⊙ yr − 1 , corresponding to a total astrated stellar mass of ( 9.60 ± 0.61 ) × 10 6 M ⊙, 87% of which went into stars at epochs earlier than 1 Gyr ago. With our star formation history recovery method we find the best fit with a distance modulus of DM = 27.45 ± 0.10, slightly lower than previous estimates. Finally, we find strong evidence of an old (≳10 Gyr) stellar population in UGC 4483 thanks to the detection of an HB phase and the identification of six candidate RR Lyrae variable stars.

The Curious Case of PHL 293B: A Long-lived Transient in a Metal-poor Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxy

Abstract We report on small-amplitude optical variability and recent dissipation of the unusually persistent broad emission lines in the blue compact dwarf galaxy PHL 293B. The galaxy’s unusual spectral features (P Cygni-like profiles with ∼800 km s−1 blueshifted absorption lines) have resulted in conflicting interpretations of the nature of this source in the literature. However, analysis of new Gemini spectroscopy reveals the broad emission has begun to fade after being persistent for over a decade prior. Precise difference imaging light curves constructed with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and the Dark Energy Survey reveal small-amplitude optical variability of ∼0.1 mag in the g band offset by 100 ± 21 pc from the brightest pixel of the host. The light curve is well-described by an active galactic nuclei (AGN)-like damped random walk process. However, we conclude that the origin of the optical variability and spectral features of PHL 293B is due to a long-lived stellar transient, likely a Type IIn supernova or nonterminal outburst, mimicking long-term AGN-like variability. This work highlights the challenges of discriminating between scenarios in such extreme environments, relevant to searches for AGNs in dwarf galaxies. This is the second long-lived transient discovered in a blue compact dwarf, after SDSS1133. Our result implies such long-lived stellar transients may be more common in metal-deficient galaxies. Systematic searches for low-level variability in dwarf galaxies will be possible with the upcoming Legacy Survey of Space and Time at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.

On the properties of the interstellar medium in extremely metal-poor blue compact dwarf galaxies. A VIMOS-IFU study of the cometary galaxy and Ly α absorber Tol 65

In this study we present high-resolution VIsible Multi-Object Spectrograph integral field unit spectroscopy (VIMOS-IFU) of the extremely metal-poor HII/blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxy Tol 65. The optical appearance of this galaxy shows clearly a cometary morphology with a bright main body and an extended and diffuse stellar tail. We focus on the detection of metallicity gradients or inhomogeneities as expected if the ongoing star-formation activity is sustained by the infall/accretion of metal-poor gas. No evidences of significant spatial variations of abundances were found within our uncertainties. However, our findings show a slight anticorrelation between gas metallicity and star-formation rate at spaxel scales, in the sense that high star-formation is found in regions of low-metallicity, but the scatter in this relation indicates that the metals are almost fully diluted. Our observations show the presence of extended H$\alpha$ emission in the stellar tail of the galaxy. We estimated that the mass of the ionized gas in the tail M(HII)$_{tail} \sim$1.7$\times$10$^5$ M$_{\odot}$ corresponds with $\sim$ 24 per cent of the total mass of the ionized gas in the galaxy. We found that the H$\alpha$ velocity dispersion of the main body and the tail of the galaxy are comparable with the one found in the neutral gas by previous studies. This suggests that the ionized gas still retains the kinematic memory of its parental cloud and likely a common origin. Finally, we suggest that the infall/accretion of cold gas from the outskirts of the galaxy and/or minor merger/interaction may have produced the almost flat abundance gradient and the cometary morphology in Tol 65.

On the properties of the interstellar medium in extremely metal-poor blue compact dwarf galaxies

The main goal of this study is to carry out a spatially resolved investigation of the warm interstellar medium (ISM) in the extremely metal-poor Blue Compact Dwarf (BCD) galaxy HS 2236+1344. Special emphasis is laid on the analysis of the spatial distribution of chemical abundances, emission-line ratios and kinematics of the ISM, and to the recent star-forming activity in this galaxy. This study is based on optical integral field unit spectroscopy data from Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph at the Gemini North telescope and archival Sloan Digital Sky Survey images. The data were obtained in two different positions across the galaxy, obtaining a total 4 arcsec X 8 arcsec field which encompasses most of its ISM. Emission-line maps and broad-band images obtained in this study indicate that HS 2236+1344 hosts three Giant HII regions. Our data also reveal some faint curved features in the BCD periphery that might be due to tidal perturbations or expanding ionized-gas shells. The ISM velocity field shows systematic gradients along the major axis of the BCD, with its south-eastern and north-western half differing by ~80 km/s in their recessional velocity. The Ha and Hb equivalent width distribution in the central part of HS 2236+1344 is consistent with a very young (~3 Myr) burst. Our surface photometry analysis indicates that the ongoing starburst provides ~50% of the total optical emission, similar to other BCDs. It also reveals an underlying lower-surface brightness component with moderately red colors, which suggest that the galaxy has undergone previous star formation. We derive an integrated oxygen abundance of 12+log(O/H)=7.53\pm0.06 and a nitrogen-to-oxygen ratio of log(N/O)=-1.57\pm0.19. Our results are consistent, within the uncertainties, with a homogeneous distribution of oxygen and nitrogen within the ISM of the galaxy. (abridged)

PAHs and the ISM in Metal-Poor Starbursts

We characterize PAH populations in 22 metal-poor blue compact dwarf galaxies (BCDs), 16 of which have an oxygen abundance 12+log(O/H) ≲ 8. This is the largest sample ever studied at such low metallicities. The relative PAH intensities of the 6.2, 7.7, 8.6 and 11.3 μ m features in these BCDs suggest a deficit of small PAH carriers, or alternatively, an excess of large ones at these low abundances.

MULTI-EPOCHHUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPEOBSERVATIONS OF IZw18: CHARACTERIZATION OF VARIABLE STARS AT ULTRA-LOW METALLICITIES

Variable stars have been identified for the first time in the very metal-poor Blue Compact dwarf galaxy IZw18, using deep multi-band (F606W, F814W)time-series photometry obtained with the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) on board the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). We detected 34 candidate variable stars in the galaxy. We classify three of them as Classical Cepheids, with periods of 8.71, 125.0 and 130.3 days, respectively, and other two as long period variables with periodicities longer than a hundred days. These are the lowest metallicity Classical Cepheids known so far, thus providing the opportunity to explore and fit models of stellar pulsation fo Classical Cepheids at previously inaccessible metallicities. The period distribution of the confirmed Cepheids is markedly different from what is seen in other nearby galaxies, which is likely related to the star bursting nature of IZw18. By applying to the 8.71 days Cepheid theoretical Wesenheit (V,I) relations based on new pulsation models of Classical Cepheids specifically computed for the extremely low metallicity of this galaxy (Z=0.0004, Y=0.24), we estimate the distance modulus of IZw18 to be mu_0= 31.4pm0.2 D=19.0^{+1.8}_{-1.7}Mpc) for canonical models of Classical Cepheids, and of 31.2pm0.2 mag (D=17.4^{+1.6}_{-1.6}Mpc) using over luminous models. The theoretical modeling of the star's light curves provides mu_0=31.4pm0.1 mag, D=19.0^{+0.9}_{-0.9} Mpc, in good agreement with the results from the theoretical Wesenheit relations. These pulsation distances bracket the distance of 18.2pm1.5Mpc inferred by Aloisi et al. (2007) using the galaxy's Red Giant Branch Tip.

I Zw 18 Revisited withHSTACS and Cepheids: New Distance and Age

We present new V- and I-band HST ACS photometry of I Zw 18, the most metal-poor blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxy in the nearby universe. It has been argued in the past that I Zw 18 is a very young system that started forming stars only ≲500 Myr ago, but other work has hinted that older (≳1 Gyr) red giant branch (RGB) stars may also exist. Our new data, once combined with archival HST ACS data, provide a deep and uncontaminated optical color-magnitude diagram (CMD) that now strongly indicates an RGB. The RGB tip (TRGB) magnitude yields a distance modulus (m - M)0 = 31.30 ± 0.17, i.e., D = 18.2 ± 1.5 Mpc. The time-series nature of our observations allows us to also detect and characterize for the first time three classical Cepheids in I Zw 18. The time-averaged Cepheid ⟨V⟩ and ⟨I⟩ magnitudes are compared to the VI reddening-free Wesenheit relation predicted from new nonlinear pulsation models specifically calculated at the metallicity of I Zw 18. For the one bona fide classical Cepheid with a period of 8.63 days this implies a distance modulus (m - M)0 = 31.42 ± 0.26. The other two Cepheids have unusually long periods (125.0 and 129.8 days) but are consistent with this distance. The coherent picture that emerges is that I Zw 18 is farther away than previously assumed and older than suggested by some previous works. The presence of an RGB population rules out the possibility that I Zw 18 is a truly primordial galaxy formed recently (z ≲ 0.1) in the local universe.

Very metal poor Classical Cepheids: variables in IZw18

In the framework of an ongoing ACS@HST project (HST program #10586, PI: Aloisi) we have obtained deep multi-color imaging of the very metal-poor Blue Compact Dwarf galaxy IZw18. The data were acquired in time-series fashion to allow the identification of Classical Cepheids (CCs). The main aim of this project is to constrain both the distance and the Star Formation History of the galaxy. However, as a byproduct these data also provide new insights into the properties of CCs at very low metallicities. We have identified 24 candidate CCs in IZw18. New theoretical pulsation models of CCs specifically for the low metallicity of this primordial galaxy (Z=0.0004, Y=0.24) have been computed to interpret our results.

A New Deep HST/ACS CMD of I Zw 18: Evidence for Red Giant Branch Stars

We present results from new deep HST/ACS photometry of I Zw 18, the most metal-poor blue compact dwarf galaxy in the nearby universe. It has been previously argued that this is a very young system that started forming stars only 1 Gyr) red giant branch (RGB) stars may exist in this galaxy. Our deeper data indeed reveal evidence for an RGB. Underlying old (> 1 Gyr) populations are therefore present in even the most metal-poor systems, implying that star formation started at z > 0.1. The RGB tip (TRGB) magnitude and the properties of Cepheid variables identified from our program indicate that I Zw 18 is farther away (D = 19.0 +/- 1.8 Mpc) than previously believed.

Do Young Galaxies Exist in the Local Universe? Red Giant Branch Detection in the Metal-poor Dwarf Galaxy SBS 1415+437

We present results from an HST/ACS imaging study of the metal-poor blue compact dwarf galaxy SBS 1415+437. It has been argued previously that this is a very young galaxy that started to form stars only 100 Myr ago. However, we find that the optical color-magnitude diagram prominently reveals asymptotic giant branch and red giant branch (RGB) stars. The brightness of the RGB tip yields a distance D ≈ 13.6 Mpc. The color of the RGB implies that its stars must be older than ~1.3 Gyr, with the exact age depending on the assumed metallicity and dust extinction. The number of RGB stars implies that most of the stellar mass resides in this evolved population. In view of these and other HST results for metal-poor galaxies, it seems that the local universe simply may not contain any galaxies that are currently undergoing their first burst of star formation.

The role of dust in “active” and “passive” low-metallicity star formation

We investigate the role of dust in star formation activity of extremely metal-poor blue compact dwarf galaxies (BCDs). Observations suggest that star formation in BCDs occurs in two different regimes: and passive. The BCDs host super star clusters (SSCs), and are characterised by compact size, rich H2 content, large dust optical depth, and high dust temperature; the passive BCDs are more diffuse with cooler dust, and lack SSCs and large amounts of H2. By treating physical processes concerning formation of stars and dust, we are able to simultaneously reproduce all the above properties of both modes of star formation (active and passive). We find that the difference between the two regimes can be understood through the variation of the compactness of the star-forming region: an mode emerges if the region is compact (with radius 500 cm −3 ). The dust, supplied from Type II supernovae in a compact star-forming region, effectively reprocesses the heating photons into the infrared and induces a rapid H2 formation over a period of several Myr. This explains the high infrared luminosity, high dust temperature, and large H2 content of active BCDs. Moreover, the gas in galaxies cools ( 100 pc and gas number density <100 cm −3 ). We finally discuss primordial star formation in high-redshift galaxies in the context of the and passive star formation scenario.

Abundances in the Neutral Interstellar Medium of I Zw 18 fromFar Ultraviolet Spectroscopic ExplorerObservations

We report on new FUSE far-UV spectroscopy of the most metal-poor blue compact dwarf galaxy, I Zw 18. The new data represent an improvement over previous FUSE spectra by a factor of 1.7 in the signal-to-noise ratio. Together with a larger spectral coverage (λλ = 917-1188 A), this allows us to characterize absorption lines in the interstellar medium with unprecedented accuracy. The kinematics averaged over the large sampled region shows no clear evidence of gas inflows or outflows. The H I absorption is interstellar with a column density of 2.2 × 1021 cm-2. A conservative 3 σ upper limit of 5.25 × 1014 cm-2 is derived for the column density of diffuse H2. From a simultaneous fitting of metal absorption lines in the interstellar medium, we infer the following abundances: [Fe/H] = -1.76 ± 0.12, [O/H] = -2.06 ± 0.28, [Si/H] = -2.09 ± 0.12, [Ar/H] = -2.27 ± 0.13, and [N/H] = -2.88 ± 0.11. This is in general several times lower than in the H II regions. The only exception is iron, whose abundance is the same. The abundance pattern of the interstellar medium suggests ancient star formation activity with an age of at least 1 Gyr that enriched the H I phase. Around 470 SNe Ia are required to produce the iron content. A more recent episode that started 10 to several hundred megayears ago is responsible for the additional enrichment of α-elements and nitrogen in the H II regions.

Hubble Space Telescope/NICMOS Observations of I Zw 18: A Population of Old Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars Revealed.

I present the first results from a Hubble Space Telescope/NICMOS imaging study of the most metal-poor blue compact dwarf galaxy, I Zw 18. The near-infrared color-magnitude diagram (CMD) is dominated by two populations, one 10-20 Myr population of red supergiants and one 0.1-5 Gyr population of asymptotic giant branch stars. Stars older than 1 Gyr are required to explain the observed CMD at the adopted distance of 12.6 Mpc, showing that I Zw 18 is not a young galaxy. The results hold also if the distance to I Zw 18 is significantly larger. This rules out the possibility that I Zw 18 is a truly young galaxy formed recently in the local universe.

The most metal-poor galaxies

Metallicity is a key parameter that controls many aspects in the formation and evolution of stars and galaxies. In this review we focus on the metal deficient galaxies, in particular the most metal-poor ones, because they play a crucial role in the cosmic scenery. We first set the stage by discussing the difficult problem of defining a global metallicity and how this quantity can be measured for a given galaxy. The mechanisms that control the metallicity in a galaxy are reviewed in detail and involve many aspects of modern astrophysics: galaxy formation and evolution, massive star formation, stellar winds, chemical yields, outflows and inflows etc. Because metallicity roughly scales as the galactic mass, it is among the dwarfs that the most metal-poor galaxies are found. The core of our paper reviews the considerable progress made in our understanding of the properties and the physical processes that are at work in these objects. The question on how they are related and may evolve from one class of objects to another is discussed. While discussing metal-poor galaxies in general, we present a more detailed discussion of a few very metal-poor blue compact dwarf galaxies like IZw18. Although most of what is known relates to our local universe, we show that it pertains to our quest for primeval galaxies and is connected to the question of the origin of structure in the universe. We discuss what QSO absorption lines and known distant galaxies tell us already? We illustrate the importance of star-forming metal-poor galaxies for the determination of the primordial helium abundance, their use as distance indicator and discuss the possibility to detect nearly metal-free galaxies at high redshift from Ly$\alpha$ emission.