Global and Local Properties of Noninteracting Irregular Galaxies

In order to investigate the star formation processs controlling the evolutionary histories of noninteracting irregular galaxies, we have obtained optical and radio data on global and local scales for a sample of 26 irregulars with high star formation rates (SFR) and 17 comparison objects. Global properties of the systems were explored through the stellar and gaseous contents and abundances obtained from intermediate band filter photometry, large aperture spectrophotometry, small aperture spectrophotometry of individual H II regions, and H I 21-cm observations. The gas and abundance parameters, combined with other derived quantities such as the SFR, the fraction of a galaxy involved in the current star forming activity, and the time scale to exhaust the gas, were compared to predictions of global models of galaxy evolution: the closed system, stochastic star induced star formation, and gas infall models. In addition, large-aperture spectra of a sample of low-luminosity irregulars were obtained which provided a comparison to dwarf systems with low rates of star formation.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Astronomy

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Hunter, Deidre Ann

• Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8302891

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/70659