Found: High Surface Brightness Compact Galaxies

Abstract

Abstract. We are using the 2dF spectrograph to make a survey of all objects ("stars" and "galaxies") in a 12 deg 2 region towards the Fornax cluster. We have discovered a population of compact emission-line galaxies unresolved on photographic sky survey plates and therefore missing in most galaxy surveys based on such material. These galaxies are as luminous as normal field galaxies. Using Ho-to estimate star formation they contribute at least an additional 5% to the local star formation rate.