Spatial distrbibution of star formation in extremely strong $H{\alpha}$ emitters

  • Shim, Hyunjin (Department of Earth Science Education, Kyunpook National University) ;
  • Chary, Ranga Ram (Infrared Processing and Analysis Center/Caltech)
  • Published : 2014.10.13

Abstract

We present Palomar/SWIFT integral field spectroscopy of z~0.2 strong $H{\alpha}$ emitters identified in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. The large Halpha equivalent widths as well as the huge specific star formation rates of these galaxies are comparable with that of z>4 Lyman break galaxies, thus understanding the gas kinematics and the distribution of massive stars in these systems will help to obtain a better understanding of high-redshift star forming environments and the growth of massive galaxies. We measure the velocity dispersion across the entire galaxy, estimate the number density and the spatial distribution of massive stars from the emission line morphologies. The role of minor mergers in powering star formation is investigated as an alternative to cold flow driven star formation.

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