# The Next Generation Fornax Survey (NGFS): V. Discovery of a dwarf-dwarf galaxy pair at z=0.30 and its characterization using deep VLT/MUSE observations

## TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery and characterization of a rare dwarf-dwarf galaxy pair at redshift 0.30, providing insights into low-mass galaxy interactions and group environments beyond the Local Universe.

## Contribution

First detection of a dwarf-dwarf galaxy pair at z=0.30 using deep VLT/MUSE observations, offering new data on low-mass galaxy interactions.

## Key findings

- Both galaxies have stellar masses <10^9 M_sun.
- Galaxies show ongoing star formation without interaction enhancement.
- One galaxy exhibits disturbed morphology with ordered gas rotation.

## Abstract

We report the detection of a pair of dwarf galaxies at $z\!=\!0.30$ which may be in the early stages of an interaction. Both galaxies have stellar masses of $<10^{9}M_\odot$, and display a projected separation of $\sim\!29$kpc and a physical separation of $\sim\!240$kpc. Evidence of ongoing star formation has been found in both galaxies, with neither one showing an enhanced star-formation rate that would be expected if they were already interacting. One galaxy displays a disturbed morphology but shows ordered gas rotation, which may reflect a previous minor merger event in the recent history of that system. The nearest spectroscopically confirmed neighbour lies at a distance of 38Mpc. These results indicate that these dwarf galaxies have no neighbouring massive galaxies, however with the data available we have been unable to determine whether these galaxies are isolated in the field or belong to a group of low-mass galaxies. As a detection of a rare dwarf-dwarf pair beyond the Local Universe, this system provides an uncommon opportunity to explore the properties of galaxy groups in the low-galaxy mass regime as a function of redshift.