LYCAT - LYman Continuum and Alpha in Tol1214-277

In terms of understanding the output and escape of ionising (Lyman continuum) and Lyman alpha photons from galaxies, Tololo 1214-277 appears to be a unique object in the local universe, and possibly a Rosetta stone for our understanding of how dwarfish galaxies might have contributed to the reionisation of the universe. It is the only object known (from HST/GHRS observations) in the nearby universe to exhibit a symmetric Lyman alpha profile centered on the systemic velocity. This indicates that Lyman alpha has suffered very little scattering implying a low optical depth for Lyman continuum photons. Here we propose to obtain a new COS spectrum with higher spectral resolution, covering Lyman alpha as well as metal absorption lines to map the velocity and structure of the ISM, and imaging in Lyman alpha, Halpha, Hbeta, [OII], and [OIII]. The emission line maps will provide further diagnostics on the escape probability of Lyman continuum photons and pave way for a future direct detection experiment with COS.