Insight into Gas Processing in Compact Groups of Galaxies
Abstract
Compact groups of galaxies provide a unique environment to study the evolution of galaxies amid continuous gravitational encounters. These groups provide a nearby environment with conditions similar to those in the earlier universe when galaxies were assembled and give us the opportunity to witness hierarchical formation in progress. In order to understand how the compact group environment affects galaxy evolution, it is important to study the gas and dust processes in these groups. Single-dish neutral hydrogen (HI) observations of compact groups allow us to measure the HI mass of each group in our survey, as well as to determine whether there is a significant amount of HI in the intragroup medium. We compare the HI to stellar mass ratio with mid-IR indicators of star formation and optical [g-r] color to search for correlations between gas content and star formation activity. We find that quiescent galaxies tend to live in HI-poor groups, and galaxies with active star formation are more commonly found in HI-rich groups regardless of the location and distribution of the HI gas, though we do see "rogue" galaxies whose activity does not correlate with group HI content. Ultimately, we will use these results to understand gas processing and the ISM in environments similar to that in the earlier Universe.
- Publication:
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American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #223
- Pub Date:
- January 2014
- Bibcode:
- 2014AAS...22324618W