The Mid-Infrared Properties of Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxies

TL;DR

This study utilizes Spitzer Space Telescope data to analyze the infrared properties of Blue Compact Dwarf galaxies, focusing on PAH features, elemental abundances, and infrared-radio correlations in metal-poor environments.

Contribution

First comprehensive infrared analysis of BCDs using Spitzer, revealing insights into PAH presence, elemental abundances, and IR-radio relations in low-metallicity galaxies.

Findings

Detection of PAH features in some BCDs.

Neon and sulfur abundances measured and compared with optical data.

Infrared-radio correlation observed in low-metallicity galaxies.

Abstract

The unprecedented sensitivity of the Spitzer Space Telescope has enabled us for the first time to detect a large sample of Blue Compact Dwarf galaxies (BCDs), which are intrinsically faint in the infrared. In the present paper we present a summary of our findings which providing essential information on the presence/absence of the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon features in metal-poor environments. In addition, using Spitzer/IRS high-resolution spectroscopy, we study the elemental abundances of neon and sulfur in BCDs and compare with the results from optical studies. Finally, we present an analysis of the mid- and far-infrared to radio correlation in low luminosity low metallicity galaxies.