Neutral Gas Dynamics of the Extreme Star-Forming Dwarf Galaxy Leo P

Authors

Elijah Bernstein-CooperFollow

Abstract

We present Very Large Array and Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope HI observations of Leo P, a low-mass star-forming dwarf galaxy discovered by the ALFALFA survey. This low-mass (M_HI = 9.5 x 10⁵ Solar masses) system has a nebular oxygen abundance of 3% Solar, making it among the most metal-deficient galaxies and a benchmark for models of galaxy evolution. Leo P’s proximity (d = 1.75 Mpc) allows our HI imaging to probe spatial scales of 160 pc at 1.8 kms⁻¹ velocity resolution. We present morphological and dynamical analysis that offers one of the most complete views of the interstellar medium in an extremely low-mass dwarf galaxy to date.

Recommended Citation

Bernstein-Cooper, Elijah (2013) "Neutral Gas Dynamics of the Extreme Star-Forming Dwarf Galaxy Leo P," Macalester Journal of Physics and Astronomy: Vol. 1: Iss. 1, Article 3.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/mjpa/vol1/iss1/3