Nuclear star formation in the hotspot galaxy NGC 2903

We present high-resolution near-infrared imaging obtained using adaptive optics and HST /NICMOS, and ground-based spectroscopy of the hotspot galaxy NGC 2903. Our near-infrared resolution imaging enables us to resolve the infrared hotspots into individual young stellar clusters or groups of these. The spatial distribution of the stellar clusters is not coincident with that of the bright H  ii regions, as revealed by the HST /NICMOS Pa α image. Overall, the circumnuclear star formation in NGC 2903 shows a ring-like morphology with an approximate diameter of 625 pc.
The star formation properties of the stellar clusters and H  ii regions have been studied using the photometric and spectroscopic information in conjunction with evolutionary synthesis models. The population of bright stellar clusters shows a very narrow range of ages, 4–7×10⁶ yr after the peak of star formation, or absolute ages 6.5–9.5×10⁶ yr (for the assumed short-duration Gaussian bursts), and luminosities similar to the clusters found in the Antennae interacting galaxy. This population of young stellar clusters accounts for some 7–12 per cent of the total stellar mass in the central 625 pc of NGC 2903. The H  ii regions in the ring of star formation have luminosities close to that of the supergiant H  ii region 30 Doradus, they are younger than the stellar clusters, and they will probably evolve into bright infrared stellar clusters similar to those observed today. We find that the star formation efficiency in the central regions of NGC 2903 is higher than in normal galaxies, approaching the lower end of infrared luminous galaxies.     

Star formation in southern Seyfert galaxies

We have produced radio maps, using the Australia Telescope Compact Array, of the central regions of six southern type 2 Seyfert galaxies (NGC 1365, 4945, 6221, 6810, 7582 and Circinus) with circumnuclear star formation, to estimate the relative contribution of star formation activity compared to activity from the active galactic nucleus (AGN). The radio morphologies range from extended diffuse structures to compact nuclear emission, with no evidence, even in the relatively compact sources, for synchrotron self-absorption. In each case the radio to far-infrared (FIR) ratio has a value consistent with star formation, and in all but one case the radio to [Fe  II ] ratio is also consistent with star formation. We derive supernova rates and conclude that, despite the presence of a Seyfert nucleus in these galaxies, the radio, FIR and [Fe  II ] line emissions are dominated by processes associated with the circumnuclear star formation (i.e. supernova remnants and H  II regions) rather than with the AGN.     

The unusual distribution of molecular gas and star formation in Arp 140

We investigate the atomic and molecular interstellar medium and star formation of NGC 275, the late-type spiral galaxy in Arp 140, which is interacting with NGC 274, an early-type system. The atomic gas (H  i ) observations reveal a tidal tail from NGC 275 which extends many optical radii beyond the interacting pair. The H  i morphology implies a prograde encounter between the galaxy pair approximately ∼1.5 × 10⁸ yr ago. The Hα emission from NGC 275 indicates clumpy irregular star formation, clumpiness which is mirrored by the underlying mass distribution as traced by the K _s-band emission. The molecular gas distribution is striking in its anticorrelation with the H  ii regions. Despite the evolved nature of NGC 275's interaction and its barred potential, neither the molecular gas nor the star formation is centrally concentrated. We suggest that this structure results from stochastic star formation leading to preferential consumption of the gas in certain regions of the galaxy. In contrast to the often-assumed picture of interacting galaxies, NGC 275, which appears to be close to merger, does not display enhanced or centrally concentrated star formation. If the eventual merger is to lead to a significant burst of star formation it must be preceded by a significant conversion of atomic to molecular gas as at the current rate of star formation all the molecular gas will be exhausted by the time the merger is complete.     

Population synthesis of H ii galaxies

We study the stellar population of galaxies with active star formation, determining ages of the stellar components by means of spectral population synthesis of their absorption spectra. The data consist of optical spectra of 185 nearby ( z 0.075) emission-line galaxies . They are mostly H  ii galaxies, but we also include some starbursts and Seyfert 2s, for comparison purposes. They were grouped into 19 high signal-to-noise ratio template spectra, according to their continuum distribution, absorption- and emission-line characteristics. The templates were then synthesized with a star cluster spectral base.
The synthesis results indicate that H  ii galaxies are typically age-composite stellar systems, presenting important contributions from generations up to as old as 500 Myr. We detect a significant contribution of populations with ages older than 1 Gyr in two groups of H  ii galaxies. The age distributions of stellar populations among starbursts can vary considerably despite similarities in the emission-line spectra. In the case of Seyfert 2 groups we obtain important contributions from the old population, consistent with a bulge.
From the diversity of star formation histories, we conclude that typical H  ii galaxies in the local Universe are not systems presently forming their first stellar generation.     

The local environment of H ii galaxies

We have carried out an investigation of the environments of low redshift H  ii galaxies by cross-correlating their positions on the sky with those of faint field galaxies in the Automatic Plate Measuring Machine (APM) catalogues. We address the question of whether violent star formation in H  ii galaxies is induced by low-mass companions by statistically estimating the mean space density of galaxies around them. We argue that even if low-mass companions were mainly intergalactic H  i clouds, their optical counterparts should be detectable at faint limits of the APM scans.
A significantly positive signal is detected for the H  ii galaxy–APM galaxy angular cross-correlation function, but the amplitude is poorly determined. The projected cross-correlation function has a higher signal-to-noise ratio, and suggests that the amplitude is slightly lower than for normal field galaxies. This implies that these bursting dwarf galaxies inhabit slightly lower density environments than those of normal field galaxies, consistent with other studies of emission-line galaxies. This suggests that in these dwarf starburst galaxies, star formation is not always triggered by tidal interactions, and a significant fraction must have a different origin.     

Neutral hydrogen gas in interacting galaxies: the NGC 1511 galaxy group

We present H  i line and 20-cm radio continuum observations of the NGC 1511 galaxy group obtained with the Australia Telescope Compact Array. The data reveal an extended, rather disturbed H  i distribution for the peculiar starburst galaxy NGC 1511 and a narrow bridge to its small companion galaxy, NGC 1511B, which has been severely distorted by the interaction/collision between the two galaxies. No stellar counterpart to the gaseous bridge has been detected. In addition, we find that the peculiar optical ridge to the east of NGC 1511 is probably the stellar remnant of a galaxy completely disrupted by interactions with NGC 1511. The slightly more distant neighbour, NGC 1511A, shows a regular H  i velocity field and no obvious signs of interactions.
Radio continuum emission from NGC 1511 reveals three prominent sources on top of a more diffuse, extended distribution. We derive an overall star formation rate of  7 M_⊙ yr⁻¹  . The most enhanced star formation is found in the south-eastern part of the disc, coincident with several bright H  ii regions, and closest to the peculiar optical ridge. No continuum emission was detected in the companions, but NGC 1511B appears to show an H  ii region at its faint western edge, closest to NGC 1511. The group displays a prime example of interaction-induced star formation activity.     

Morphology and star formation in nearby low surface brightness galaxies

We present observations ( B, R, K , Hα and H  i ) of six nearby low surface brightness galaxies (LSBGs). They show an astonishing amount of variety; while some systems appear smooth and featureless, others resolve into loose assemblies of gas clouds. We have derived rotation curves, gas surface density profiles and star formation thresholds for three of the galaxies.
The results have been used to test two ideas describing their star formation: one in which star formation depends solely on the H  i gas surface density, and one that depends on differential rotation. We find that a critical H  i surface density criterion in the range  2.6–12.6 × 10²⁰ cm⁻² (2.1–10.1 M_⊙ pc⁻²)  best describes the star-forming ability of these galaxies on local and global scales. A critical gas surface density based on the rotation of the gas is also able to describe the results on a global scale for two of the three galaxies for which we were able to derive rotation curves.     

Star formation properties of Universidad Complutense de Madrid survey galaxies

We present new near-infrared J and K imaging data for 67 galaxies from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) survey used in the determination of the SFR density of the local Universe by Gallego et al. This is a sample of local star-forming galaxies with redshift lower than 0.045, and they constitute a representative subsample of the galaxies in the complete UCM survey. From the new data, complemented with our own Gunn- r images and long-slit optical spectroscopy, we have measured integrated K -band luminosities, r − J and J − K colours, and H α luminosities and equivalent widths. Using a maximum likelihood estimator and a complete set of evolutionary synthesis models, these observations allow us to estimate the strength of the current (or most recent) burst of star formation, its age, the star formation rate and the total stellar mass of the galaxies. An average galaxy in the sample has a stellar mass of 5×10¹⁰ M_⊙ and is undergoing (or has recently completed) a burst of star formation involving about 2 per cent of its total stellar mass. We identify two separate classes of star-forming galaxies in the UCM sample: low-luminosity, high-excitation galaxies (H  ii like ) and relatively luminous spiral galaxies (starburst disc- like ). The former show higher specific star formation rates (SFRs per unit mass) and burst strengths, and lower stellar masses than the latter. With regard to their specific star formation rates, the UCM galaxies are intermediate objects between normal quiescent spirals and the most extreme H  ii galaxies.     

Australia Telescope Compact Array H i observations of the NGC 6845 galaxy group

We present the results of Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) H  i line and 20-cm radio continuum observations of the galaxy quartet NGC 6845. The H  i emission extends over all four galaxies but can only be associated clearly with the two spiral galaxies, NGC 6845A and B, which show signs of strong tidal interaction. We derive a total H  i mass of at least  1.8 × 10¹⁰ M_⊙  , most of which is associated with NGC 6845A, the largest galaxy of the group. We investigate the tidal interaction between NGC 6845A and B by studying the kinematics of distinct H  i components and their relation to the known H  ii regions. No H  i emission is detected from the two lenticular galaxies, NGC 6845C and D. A previously uncatalogued dwarf galaxy, ATCA  J2001−4659  , was detected 4.4 arcmin NE from NGC 6845B and has an H  i mass of  ∼5 × 10⁸ M_⊙  . No H  i bridge is visible between the group and its newly detected companion. Extended 20-cm radio continuum emission is detected in NGC 6845A and B as well as in the tidal bridge between the two galaxies. We derive star formation rates of  15–40 M_⊙ yr⁻¹  .     

Gas properties of H ii and starburst galaxies: relation with the stellar population

We study the gas emission of galaxies with active star formation, consisting mostly of H  ii and starburst galaxies, as well as some Seyfert 2 galaxies, and determine chemical and physical parameters. The data consist of 19 high signal-to-noise ratio optical templates, a result of grouping 185 emission-line galaxy spectra. Underlying stellar population models (from Raimann et al.) were subtracted from the templates in order to isolate the pure emission component.
We analyse the distribution of these improved signal-to-noise ratio emission spectra in diagnostic diagrams and find that the H  ii templates show a smaller spread in log([O  iii ]/H β ) values than the individual galaxies, apparently as a result of the population subtraction and a better signal-to-noise ratio. We thus suggest the template sequence as a fiducial observational locus for H  ii galaxies which can be used as reference for models. The sequence of line ratios presented by the H  ii galaxies in the diagram log([O  iii ] λ 5007/H β ) versus log([N  ii ] λ 6584/H α ) is primarily owing to the gas metallicity, of which the log([N  ii ]/H α ) ratio is a direct estimator. We also study the properties of the starburst galaxies and those intermediate between H  ii and starburst galaxies, which are more metal rich and sit on more massive galaxies.
We discuss the present results in the frame of a recently proposed equivalent-width diagnostic diagram for emission-line galaxies (by Rola et al.) and conclude that the observed ranges in W ([O  ii ])/ W (H β ) and W (H β ) are mostly owing to the non-ionizing stellar population contribution. We propose that W (H β ) be used as an estimator of this contribution to the continuum, and briefly discuss implications to the cosmological use of H  ii galaxies.     

The evolution of superbubbles and the detection of Lyα in star-forming galaxies

The detection of Ly α emission in star-forming galaxies in different shapes and intensities (always smaller than predicted for case B recombination) has puzzled the astronomical community for more than a decade. Here we use two-dimensional calculations to follow the evolution of superbubbles and of the H  ii regions generated by the output of UV photons from massive stars. We show the impact caused by massive star formation in the ISM of different galaxies and we look at the conditions required to detect Ly α emission from a nuclear H  ii region, and the variety of profiles that may be expected as a function of time.     

H i content and star formation in the interacting galaxy Arp86

We present the results of Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) observations of the interacting system Arp86 in both neutral atomic hydrogen, H  i , and in radio continuum at 240 606 and 1394 MHz. In addition to H  i emission from the two dominant galaxies, NGC 7752 and NGC 7753, these observations show a complex distribution of H  i tails and bridges due to tidal interactions. The regions of highest column density appear related to the recent sites of intense star formation. H  i column densities  ∼1–1.5 × 10²¹ cm⁻²  have been detected in the tidal bridge which is bright in Spitzer image as well. We also detect H  i emission from the galaxy 2MASX J23470758+2926531, which is shown to be a part of this system. We discuss the possibility that this could be a tidal dwarf galaxy. The radio continuum observations show evidence of a non-thermal bridge between NGC 7752 and NGC 7753, and a radio source in the nuclear region of NGC 7753 consistent with it having a low-ionization nuclear emission region nucleus.     

A study of neutral hydrogen in five small galaxy groups

High-resolution H  i imaging observations of a heterogeneous sample of small galaxy groups are presented. The five galaxy groups studied show a broad range of individual H  i properties: e.g. loose groups surrounding LGG 138 and the genuinely compact LGG 455 are identified; a massive ring of neutral gas is discovered encircling two luminous galaxies in the LGG 138 group; a galaxy-sized mass of H  i is found in LGG 455 confined to an extragalactic cloud which exceeds the threshold density for star formation, yet is optically invisible; and the CCG 1 group is argued to be a chance alignment of Centaurus cluster galaxies. Global results of the study are that the deficit of H  i flux in synthesis imaging data compared with single-dish data is put forward as a quantitative measure of the diffuseness of neutral gas in galaxy groups; several groups contain gas-poor galaxies that ordinarily would contain detectable quantities of H  i – this is interpreted as being caused by an increased chance of gas-sweeping collisions in the group environment; and some evidence is found to support previous findings that compact groups preferentially occur in loose systems.     

Ram-pressure stripping of the interstellar medium in NGC 4485

This paper describes submm, ¹²CO (J = 2–1) observations of the interacting pair of galaxies NGC 4490 and 4485, and together with high resolution H  i and multifrequency radio continuum data we investigate the evolution of the ISM in this system. We find the following. (i) The smaller member of the pair, NGC 4485, has had the atomic, molecular and dust components of its ISM stripped via ram pressure during its recent passage through the extended H  i distribution of NGC 4490. A bow-shock is identified in the H  i ahead of the stripped gas. (ii) Within the disc of NGC 4490 we find a very low H₂-to-H  i ratio as well as a strong correlation between thermal emission and mass of H₂ suggesting that the star formation rate is limited in this case by the conversion of H  i to H₂. (iii) ¹²CO emission from an H  i and radio-continuum bridge between the two galaxies is detected.     

Large-scale galactic turbulence: can self-gravity drive the observed H i velocity dispersions?

Observations of turbulent velocity dispersions in the H  i component of galactic discs show a characteristic floor in galaxies with low star formation rates and within individual galaxies the dispersion profiles decline with radius. We carry out several high-resolution adaptive mesh simulations of gaseous discs embedded within dark matter haloes to explore the roles of cooling, star formation, feedback, shearing motions and baryon fraction in driving turbulent motions. In all simulations the disc slowly cools until gravitational and thermal instabilities give rise to a multiphase medium in which a large population of dense self-gravitating cold clouds are embedded within a warm gaseous phase that forms through shock heating. The diffuse gas is highly turbulent and is an outcome of large-scale driving of global non-axisymmetric modes as well as cloud–cloud tidal interactions and merging. At low star formation rates these processes alone can explain the observed H  i velocity dispersion profiles and the characteristic value of  ∼10 km s⁻¹  observed within a wide range of disc galaxies. Supernovae feedback creates a significant hot gaseous phase and is an important driver of turbulence in galaxies with a star formation rate per unit area  ≳10⁻³ M_⊙ yr⁻¹ kpc⁻²  .     

The UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey ZY JHK photometric system: passbands and synthetic colours

We present a statistical study of a very large sample of H  ii galaxies taken from the literature. We focus on the differences in several properties between galaxies that show the auroral line [O  iii ]λ4363 and those that do not present this feature in their spectra. It turns out that objects without this auroral line are more luminous, are more metal-rich and present a lower ionization degree. The underlying population is found to be much more important for objects without the [O  iii ]λ4363 line, and the effective temperature of the ionizing star clusters of galaxies not showing the auroral line is probably lower. We also study the subsample of H  ii galaxies whose properties most closely resemble the properties of the intermediate-redshift population of luminous compact blue galaxies (LCBGs). The objects from this subsample are more similar to the objects not showing the [O  iii ]λ4363 line. It might therefore be expected that the intermediate- redshift population of LCBGs is powered by very massive, yet somewhat aged, star clusters. The oxygen abundance of LCBGs would be greater than the average oxygen abundance of local H  ii galaxies.     

H i in extremely metal deficient galaxies – III. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope observations of blue compact galaxy HS 0822+3542

We present the results of Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope H  i 21-cm line observations of the extremely metal deficient (XMD) blue compact galaxy (BCG) HS 0822+3542. HS 0822+3542 is the smallest known XMD galaxy; from Hubble Space Telescope ( HST ) imaging, it has been suggested that it actually consists of two still smaller (∼100 pc sized) ultra-compact dwarfs that are in the process of merging. The brighter of these two putative ultra-compact dwarfs has an ocular appearance, similar to that seen in galaxies that have suffered a penetrating encounter with a smaller companion. From our H  i imaging, we find that the gas distribution and kinematics in this object are similar to that of other low-mass galaxies, albeit with some evidence for tidal disturbance. On the other hand, the H  i emission has an angular size ∼25 times larger than that of the putative ultra-compact dwarfs. The optical emission is also offset from the centre of the H  i emission. HS 0822+3542 is located in the nearby Lynx–Cancer void, but has a nearby companion low surface brightness dwarf galaxy SAO 0822+3545. In light of all this, we also consider a scenario where the optical emission from HS 0822+3542 comes not from two merging ultra-compact dwarfs but from multiple star-forming regions in a tidally disturbed galaxy. In this model, the ocular appearance of the brighter star-forming region could be the result of triggered star formation.     

The distribution of atomic gas and dust in nearby galaxies – I. Presentation of matched-resolution VLA H i and SCUBA 850-μm maps

We present matched-resolution VLA H  i and SCUBA 850-μm maps of 20 IRAS -bright galaxies. Of the galaxies observed, two were not detected in H  i and two were detected in absorption. The H  i distributions of the galaxies have a range of morphologies. Some of the systems appear H  i deficient in the central regions which could be due to a high conversion rate of H  i into molecules or H  i absorption. In contrast to the H  i , the 850-μm emission has a smooth distribution which is concentrated towards the optical centre of each galaxy. We also find evidence for 850-μm emission extending to the periphery of the optical disc in some of the galaxies. Finally, we note that the relative lack of 850-μm emission when compared with H  i does not necessarily mean that the atomic gas and dust do not have similar mass distributions.     

Variable circular polarization associated with relativistic ejections from GRS 1915 + 105

We describe H α , SCUBA and MERLIN imaging of the interacting galaxy pair NGC 4490 and 4485. We detect an H α filament emerging from the disc of NGC 4490 to a projected distance of 3 kpc which has counterparts in both the radio continuum and H  i . The H  i counterpart extends to a projected distance of ∼30 kpc from NGC 4490 and we argue that this is evidence that the giant H  i envelope in this system has its origins in star formation. We use SCUBA and radio continuum data to attempt to place constraints on the distribution of dust with respect to the star forming regions. This analysis is limited by the lack of an independent estimate of the dust temperature, something that both 'SIRTF' and 'SOFIA' will be able to provide, however we find some evidence that most obscuring dust is not located within H  ii regions themselves.     

Origin of disc lopsidedness in the Eridanus group of galaxies

The H  i surface density maps for a sample of 18 galaxies in the Eridanus group are Fourier analysed. This analysis gives the radial variation of the lopsidedness in the H  i spatial distribution. The lopsidedness is quantified by the Fourier amplitude A ₁ of the m = 1 component normalized to the average value. It is also shown that in the radial region where the stellar disc and H  i overlap, their A ₁ coefficients are comparable. All the galaxies studied show significant lopsidedness in H  i . The mean value of A ₁ in the inner regions of the galaxies (1.5–2.5 scalelengths) is ≥ 0.2. This value of A ₁ is twice the average value seen in the field galaxies. Also, the lopsidedness is found to be smaller for late-type galaxies; this is opposite to the trend seen in the field galaxies. These two results indicate a different physical origin for disc lopsidedness in galaxies in a group environment compared to the field galaxies. Further, a large fraction (∼30 per cent) shows a higher degree of lopsidedness ( A ₁≥ 0.3). It is also seen that the disc lopsidedness increases with the radius as demonstrated in earlier studies, but over a radial range that is two times larger than done in the previous studies. The average lopsidedness of the halo potential is estimated to be ∼10 per cent, assuming that the lopsidedness in H  i disc is due to its response to the halo asymmetry.