NRAO/Socorro Colloquium Series: 14 March 2003

Fabian Walter

National Radio Astronomy Observatory


The Structure and Evolution of Dwarf Galaxies - Building Blocks of the Universe


Much progress has been made in recent years in the studies of the structure and evolution of dwarf galaxies. According to CDM simulations these low-mass and low-metallicity systems are believed to be `survivors' of an initially much richer population of galaxies. Nearby dwarf galaxies therefore offer the unique opportunity to study the conditions of the ISM similar to those when the universe was young. In addition, studies of nearby dwarf galaxies are essential to understand under which conditions low-mass systems can eject significant amounts of material to the intergalactic medium (IGM). Especially at large look-back times, this progress is thought to be one of the dominant mechanisms to enrich the IGM with metals. I will discuss these issues by reviewing the various phases of the ISM in (nearby) dwarf galaxies. In particular, I will focus on the atomic ISM in dwarf galaxies (mostly based on VLA data), present the highlights of our key project at OVRO to map the molecular content of these systems and present the latest X-ray imaging results of the hot ISM using the Chandra and XMM-Newton X-ray observatories.






Friday, 14 March 2003
11:00am

Array Operations Center Auditorium

Local Host: George Moellenbrock


Other NRAO/Socorro colloquia


dshepher@nrao.edu