Astronomy 210 Class Work

Astronomy 210 Class Work (Feb. 26)

Dwarf Galaxy Star Formation Histories

Andrew Dolphin of U. Arizona used color-magnitude-diagrams (CMDs) to trace the star formation histories of dwarf galaxies in the Local Group.
The file Dwarf Galaxies Star Formation History contains examples of a number of the galaxies measured. The first slide contains a schematic of the Local Group for reference.
Look at each one, noting the morphological type and the luminosity (absolute V magnitude). Write down the time of the last major star formation episode and the approximate metallicity of the population relative to the Sun.
What do you conclude from your observations? How do the star formation histories of dwarfs of different types and luminosities compare?

Last updated February 26, 2008