| dc.description.abstract | This study consists of a quantitative optical emission-line analysis of spectra
from five blue compact galaxies (Zw 0855, Mrk 1267, II Zw 33, Tol 2
& Tol 3), as well as a qualitative analysis of spectra from two galactic H
II regions (NGC 3603 & NGC 3576). It serves a two-fold purpose: first, to
understand the CCD reduction, spectra extraction and different nebular analysis
methods, together with their applications and limitations, preparatory
to studies using the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) and second,
to extend current star formation related research to include extragalactic
starburst galaxies. The observations were carried out using the 1.9m telescope
(equipped with a grating spectroscope and CCD detector) of the South
African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), during the period 1 to 7 March
2005. The necessary CCD data reduction, spectra extraction, wavelength
and flux calibration, Doppler shift as well as reddening correction procedures
were performed before the emission lines were identified and measured. A full
nebular analysis, including temperature, density, metallicity (oxygen abundance)
and other chemical abundance determinations, was performed on the
blue compact galaxies (BCGs). Two different nebular analysis packages viz.
IRAF's nebular and SNAPwere used, with all the results well within the
range of values expected for metal poor BCGs. Recommendations on the different methods and their applications are made. | |
