A Comprehensive Study of Star Formation in Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxies

This book is an observational project on Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxies (BCDG). The book gives an insight into the star formation and star formation history of BCDGs. The data of galaxies deals with optical photometry, medium resolution spectroscopy of nearly 11 galaxies. The data of 5 galaxies from this sample are studied in low frequency radio continuum bands and neutral hydrogen gas is also mapped in these systems. The book forms a guide to understand the broad band and narrow band photometric techniques. A detailed photometric and spectroscopic catalogue of 11 nearby BCDGs is composed. An account of mixed population model, created using Starburst99, that reveals at least three different kinds of population [~10 Myr, ~500 Myr and 4-5 Gyr] existing in these regions is given. A detailed calculation of the amount of metals present in the ionized gas using empirical relations is presented in the book. The intriguing inferences from low frequency radio data are discussed. This book overall forms a guide to observe, infer and understand SF & SFHs of BCDGs using integrated optical & radio light.

Autorentext

Dr. Ramya Sethuram is a young astronomer. She obtained her Masters' degree in Physics from Bangalore University. With immense interest and motivation, she continued to pursue a Ph.D. at Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Observational astrophysics under the supervision of Prof. T. P. Prabhu. She obtained the Doctor of Philosophy in November 2011.