Nebular abundances of nearby southern dwarf galaxies

88Citations
Citations of this article
13Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

The results of optical spectroscopy of H II regions in a sample of southern dwarf irregulars consisting of five dwarf galaxies in the Centaurus A group, four dwarfs in the Sculptor group, and eight additional dwarf galaxies are presented. Oxygen abundances are derived using the direct method where [O III]λ4363 is detected; otherwise, abundances are derived with the bright-line method using the McGaugh and the Pilyugin calibrations. ESO358-G060 has the lowest oxygen abundance (12-log(O/H) = 7.32) in the sample, which is comparable to the value for the second most metal-poor galaxy known (SBS 0335-052). In all, new oxygen abundances are reported for nine dwarf galaxies; updated values are presented for the remaining galaxies. Derived oxygen abundances are in the range from 3% to 26% of the solar value. Oxygen abundances for dwarfs in the southern sample are consistent with the metallicity-luminosity relationship defined by a control sample of dwarf irregulars with [O III]λ4363 abundances and well-measured distances. However, NGC 5264 appears to have an (upper branch) oxygen abundance approximately two to three times higher than other dwarfs at similar luminosities. Nitrogen-to-oxygen and neon-to-oxygen abundance ratios are also reported; in particular, IC 1613 and IC 5152 show elevated nitrogen-to-oxygen ratios for their oxygen abundances.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Lee, H., Grebel, E. K., & Hodge, P. W. (2003). Nebular abundances of nearby southern dwarf galaxies. Astronomy and Astrophysics, 401(1), 141–159. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20030101

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free