Award Date

1-1-1996

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Physics

Number of Pages

126

Abstract

The goal of this project is to investigate the physical properties of a sample of galaxies in the Bootes Void, and to classify these galaxies based on the properties of emission lines in their spectra. The spectra of 26 galaxies in the Bootes Void are analyzed. Fourteen galaxies are classified as HII galaxies with properties similar to field HII galaxies. Two of these galaxies, 1432 + 5302 and 1507 + 4554, are classified as extreme starburst (ESB) galaxies. Approximately 48% of the galaxies with measurable H{dollar}\alpha{dollar} + (NII) emission have elevated rates of star formation, based on equivalent widths. Continuum shapes and color indices are in good agreement with photometric results. Analysis of the galaxy continua suggest that approximately 1/3 of the void galaxies have large populations of blue stars. Stellar absorption features are observed in over half the galaxies in the sample, implying the presence of older, higher-metallicity stars; Emission lines are detected from the HI galaxy 1517 + 3949 for the first time. Two systems, 1510 + 4727 and 1517 + 3956, are identified as merging or closely interacting galaxy pairs, bringing the total number of known galaxy pairs in the void to four. The galaxy 1458 + 4944 is found to be a LINER, making at least five AGNs in the void. Classifications of eight galaxies in the sample remain unknown. No emission lines were detected from three galaxies, 1503 + 5428, 1535 + 3831 and 1537 + 5315. Upper limits on line emission from each of these three galaxies are defined; The galaxies in the Bootes Void are shown to be similar to emission line galaxies in the field with respect to stellar populations, emission line properties, fraction of AGNs and fraction of galaxy pairs. This result is inconsistent with some models of galaxy formation in low-density environments.

Keywords

Bootes; Emission; Galactic; Galactic Spectra; Galaxies; Lines; Spectra; Spectroscopy; Void; Emission

Controlled Subject

Astronomy

File Format

pdf

File Size

3031.04 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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Rights

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