The Near-Infrared Colours of HII Galaxies

Telles, E.; Tapia, M.; Terlevich, R.; Kunth, D.; Sampson, L.
Bibliographical reference

"IX Latin American Regional IAU Meeting, "Focal Points in Latin American Astronomy", held in Tonantzintla, Mexico, Nov 9-13, 1998, Eds: Aguilar, A.; Carraminana, A.; to be printed in Revista Mexicana de Astronomia y Astrofisica Serie de Conferencias."

Advertised on:
11
1998
Number of authors
5
IAC number of authors
0
Citations
0
Refereed citations
0
Description
Near-Infrared J H K images are presented for a small sample of HII galaxies observed at UKIRT. Based on NIR colours, comparison with the stellar population models allowed us to further discuss the history of star formation in these bursting dwarf galaxies. Light and colour profiles are used to investigate their possible links with other types of dwarf galaxies. The images have revealed more complex structures than seen in the optical. In particular, the presence of knots of enhanced emission in the near-IR may indicate the existence of luminous super stellar clusters which will serve to unveil the basic units which constitute the starburst phenomenon in galaxies.