Understanding quenching mechanisms in low-mass galaxies is essential for understanding galaxy evolution overall. In particular, isolated galaxies are important tools to help disentangle the complex internal and external processes that impact star formation. Comparisons between quenched field and satellite galaxies in the low mass regime offer a substantial opportunity for discovery, although very few quenched galaxies with masses below π β βΌ10 9 π are known outside the virial radius, π π£ππ , of any host halo. Importantly, simulations and observations suggest that an in-between population of backsplash galaxies also exists that may complement interpretations of environmental quenching. Backsplash galaxies -like field galaxies -reside outside the virial radius of a host halo, but their star formation can be deeply impacted by previous interactions with more massive systems. In this paper, we report the discovery of a low-mass (π β βΌ10 7 π ) quenched galaxy approximately 1π π£ππ in projection from the M81 group. We use surface brightness fluctuations (SBF) to investigate the possibility that the new galaxy, dubbed dw0910p7326 (nicknamed Blobby), is a backsplash galaxy or a more distant field galaxy. The measured SBF distance of 3.21 +0.15+0.41 β0.15β0.36 Mpc indicates that Blobby likely lies between 1.0 < π /π π£ππ < 2.7 outside the combined M81-M82 system. Given its distance and quiescence, Blobby is a good candidate for a backsplash galaxy and could provide hints about the formation and evolution of these interesting objects.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citationsβcitations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright Β© 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with π for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.