Tracing the [FeII]/[NeII] ratio within star forming dwarf galaxies: a Spitzer IRS archival study

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dc.creatorO'Halloran, B.
dc.creatorMadden, S. C.
dc.creatorAbel, N. P.
dc.date2008-03-24
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-07T09:28:07Z
dc.date.available2026-07-07T09:28:07Z
dc.descriptionArchival Spitzer observations of 41 starburst galaxies that span a wide range in metallicity reveal for the first time a correlation between the [FeII]/[NeII] 26.0/12.8 micron ratio and the electron gas density as traced by the 18.7/33.4 micron [SIII] ratio, with the [FeII]/[NeII] ratio decreasing with increasing gas density. We also find a strong correlation between the gas density and the PAH peak to continuum strength. Using shock and photoionization models, we see the driver of the observed [FeII]/[NeII] ratios is metallicity. The majority of [FeII] emission in low metallicity galaxies may be shock-derived, whilst at high metallicity, the [FeII] emission may be instead dominated by contributions from HII and in particular from dense PDR regions. However, the observed [FeII]/[NeII] ratios may instead be following a metallicity-abundance relationship, with iron being less depleted onto grains in low metallicity galaxies - a result that would have profound implications for the use of iron emission lines as unambiguous tracers of shocks.
dc.descriptionProceedings of the Fourth Spitzer Conference: "The Evolving ISM in the Milky Way and Nearby Galaxies", held in Pasadena, CA, Dec. 2-5 2007. 6 pages, 1 figure
dc.identifierhttps://arxiv.org/abs/0803.3403
dc.identifierhttp://arxiv.org/abs/0803.3403
dc.identifier.urihttp://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/157338
dc.subjectAstrophysics
dc.titleTracing the [FeII]/[NeII] ratio within star forming dwarf galaxies: a Spitzer IRS archival study
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