A Closer Look at the Frequency of Starbursting Dwarf Galaxies
Abstract
In the shallow potential well of a dwarf galaxy, starbursts (periods of intense star formation relative to a lifetime average) can have a significant impact of the evolution of the host galaxy. Using star formation histories (SFHs) derived from resolved stellar populations, previously identified starbursts in dwarf galaxies have been measured to last hundreds of Myr. These events often show no signs of an external trigger, suggesting they may be internally driven. Here, using HST optical data, we are searching for starburst signatures using SFHs in a large sample of nearby low-mass galaxies. Our results will constrain the fraction of dwarf galaxies in the present-day Universe that undergo a starburst event, and the likelihood of an internal trigger to the burst. In addition, we are modelling the energetics of the star formation events using starburst99, which will inform on the likelihood of stellar-feedback driven galactic outflows.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #231
- Pub Date:
- January 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018AAS...23134008M