Diffuse Far-UV Line Emission from the Low-Redshift Lyman Break Galaxy Analog KISSR242

TL;DR

This study presents UV observations of the low-redshift galaxy KISSR242, revealing outflow absorption lines and faint SiII* emission lines, suggesting a diffuse halo driven by star formation or recent interaction.

Contribution

First detection of SiII* emission lines in a low-redshift starburst galaxy, indicating a diffuse warm halo influenced by star formation or galaxy interaction.

Findings

Outflow velocity v_{out} = -60 km/s

Detection of SiII* emission lines at the galaxy rest velocity

Estimated size of SiII* emitting region ~ 250 pc

Abstract

We present new ultraviolet (UV) observations of the luminous compact blue galaxy KISSR242, obtained with the HST-COS. We identify multiple resolved sub-arcsecond near-UV sources within the COS aperture. The far-UV spectroscopic data show strong outflow absorption lines, consistent with feedback processes related to an episode of massive star-formation. OI, CII, and SiII--SiIV are observed with a mean outflow velocity v_{out} = -60 km/s. We also detect faint fine-structure emission lines of singly ionized silicon for the first time in a low-redshift starburst galaxy. These emissions have been seen previously in deep Lyman break galaxy surveys at z ~ 3. The SiII* lines are at the galaxy rest velocity, and they exhibit a quantitatively different line profile from the absorption features. These lines have a width of ~ 75 km/s, too broad for point-like emission sources such as the HII regions surrounding individual star clusters. The size of the SiII* emitting region is estimated to be ~ 250 pc. We discuss the possibility of this emission arising in overlapping super star cluster HII regions, but find this explanation to be unlikely in light of existing far-UV observations of local star-forming galaxies. We suggest that the observed SiII* emission originates in a diffuse warm halo populated by interstellar gas driven out by intense star-formation and/or accreted during a recent interaction that may be fueling the present starburst episode in KISSR242.