Neutral Hydrogen in Tidal Tails: Probing the Extremes of Star Formation
Abstract
The morphologically diverse, HI-rich tidal tails of interacting galaxies represent the edges of the complex parameter space that allows massive star clusters to form and survive. In a prior optical study with the Hubble Space Telescope, our group analyzed 25 tidal tails and their star cluster populations, representing a broad continuum of star/clusterforming activity from a template set of interacting galaxy pairs. Of these 25 tails, we have analyzed and published data on 22 of them. However, our remaining systems, AM 1054-325, MCG-03-13-063, and ESO 376-G028, occupy the extremes of cluster formation: two prolifically cluster-forming environments and one devoid of ongoing star and cluster formation. We propose to observe these systems in the neutral hydrogen 21 cm line with the VLA to gauge the effects of the distribution and kinematics of the HI medium on cluster formation, in the relatively unexplored tidal tail environment. We further propose to age date these clusters with joint HST observations, to link cluster age to the local ISM. Combining these observations with our sample's archival VLA/ATCA data will elucidate the connection between star clusters, the conditions in the HI-dominated ISM that produce them, and holistically, the types of galaxy interactions that promote those conditions.
- Publication:
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HST Proposal
- Pub Date:
- August 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017hst..prop14937R