Definition and Characterization of Local Analogs to High-Z Galaxies.
Creators: name: Flores, Skarleth M. Motino
name: Wiklind, Tommy
name: Eufrasio, Rafael
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2022
Subjects: Dwarf galaxies, analogs to high-redshift galaxies, dust, infrared, star formation histories.

description: Star-forming dwarf galaxies have properties similar to those expected in high-redshift galaxies. Hence, these local galaxies may provide insights into the evolution of the first galaxies, and the physical processes at work. We present a sample of eleven potential local analogs to high-z (LAHz) galaxies. The sample consists of blue compact dwarf galaxies, selected to have spectral energy distributions that fit galaxies at 1.5&lt;z&lt;5. We use SOFIA-HAWC+ observations combined with optical and near-infrared data to characterize the dust properties, star formation rate (SFR) and star formation histories (SFH) of the sample of LAHz. We employ Bayesian analysis to characterize the dust using two-component black-body models. Using the LIGHTNING package we fit the spectral energy distribution of the LAHz galaxies over the FUV-FIR wavelength range, and derive the SFH in five time-steps up to a look-back time of 13.3 Gyr. Of the eleven LAHz candidates, six galaxies have SFH consistent with no star formation activity at look-back times beyond 1 Gyr. The remaining galaxies show residual levels of star formation at ages ≥1 Gyr, making them less suitable as local analogs. The six young galaxies stand out in our sample by having the lowest gas-phase metallicities. They are characterized by warmer dust, having the highest specific SFR, and the highest gas mass fractions. The young age of these six galaxies suggests that merging is less important as a driver of the star formation activity. The six LAHz candidates are promising candidates for studies of the gas dynamics role in driving star formation.
description: This. work is based on observations made with the NASA/DLR Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). SOFIA is jointly operated by the Universities Space Research Association, Inc. (USRA), under NASA contract NNA17BF53C, and the Deutsches SOFIA Institut (DSI) under DLR contract 50 OK 0901 to the University of Stuttgart. Financial support for this work was provided by NASA through award No. 06-0222 issued by USRA. We extend our thanks to the SOFIA science support team, for all the help in the data acquisition and the data analysis process.
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