Near-Infrared Spectroscopy of the Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxy Markarian 59

We present near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic observations of the blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxy Markarian 59 (Mrk 59), obtained with the TripleSpec spectrograph mounted on the 3.5 m Apache Point Observatory telescope. The NIR spectrum of Mrk 59, which covers the 0.90 μm-2.40 μm wavelength range, shows atomic hydrogen, molecular hydrogen, helium, sulfur, and iron emission lines. The NIR data have been supplemented by a Sloan Digital Sky Survey optical spectrum. We found extinction in the BCD to be low (A(V) = 0.24 mag) and to be the same in both the optical and NIR ranges. The NIR light does not reveal hidden star formation. The H₂ emission comes from dense clumps and the H₂ vibrational emission-line intensities can be accounted for by photon excitation. No shock excitation is needed. A CLOUDY photoionization model of Mrk 59 reproduces well the observed optical and NIR emission-line fluxes. There is no need to invoke sources of ionization other than stellar radiation. The [Fe II] 1.257 and 1.643 μm emission lines, often used as supernova shock indicators in low-excitation high-metallicity starburst galaxies, cannot play such a role in high-excitation low-metallicity H II regions such as Mrk 59.