Abstract
We present IFU observations with MUSE@VLT and deep imaging with FORS@VLT of a
dwarf galaxy recently formed within the giant collisional HI ring surrounding
NGC 5291. This TDG-like object has the characteristics of typical z=1-2
gas-rich spiral galaxies: a high gas fraction, a rather turbulent clumpy ISM,
the absence of an old stellar population, a moderate metallicity and star
formation efficiency. The MUSE spectra allow us to determine the physical
conditions within the various complex substructures revealed by the deep
optical images, and to scrutinize at unprecedented spatial resolution the
ionization processes at play in this specific medium. Starburst age, extinction
and metallicity maps of the TDG and surrounding regions were determined using
the strong emission lines Hbeta, OIII, OI, NII, Halpha and SII combined
with empirical diagnostics. Discrimination between different ionization
mechanisms was made using BPT--like diagrams and shock plus photoionization
models. Globally, the physical conditions within the star--forming regions are
homogeneous, with in particular an uniform half-solar oxygen abundance. At
small scales, the derived extinction map shows narrow dust lanes. Regions with
atypically strong OI emission line immediately surround the TDG. The OI /
Halpha ratio cannot be easily accounted for by photoionization by young stars
or shock models. At larger distances from the main star--forming clumps, a
faint diffuse blue continuum emission is observed, both with the deep FORS
images and MUSE data. It does not have a clear counterpart in the UV regime
probed by GALEX. A stacked spectrum towards this region does not exhibit any
emission line, excluding faint levels of star formation, nor stellar absorption
lines that might have revealed the presence of old stars. Several hypotheses
are discussed for the origin of these intriguing features.
Description
[1509.08873] Ionization processes in a local analogue of distant clumpy galaxies: VLT MUSE IFU spectroscopy and FORS deep images of the TDG NGC 5291N
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