Program: GS-2023A-Q-701

Title:What Makes Lyman Alpha Escape from galaxies? Unveiling the Density Bounded Green Peas
PI:Eunchong Kim
Co-I(s): Jeong Hawn Lee, Ji Yeon Seok, Ho Seong Hwang, Kwang-il Seon

Abstract

Green Pea (GP) galaxies are compact starburst galaxies at z~ 0.1-0.3. With the recent observation of strong Lya and LyC emissions in these galaxies, it is thought that studying them will provide essential clues to understanding the reionization of the universe in the past. For strong UV photons to escape from these GP galaxies, H II regions in these galaxies must be density bounded systems that are optically thin and have low H I column densities. We aim to map the spatial distribution of the density bounded regions in GP galaxies using the property of [S II] deficiency. Also, through this observation, we aim to determine if there is a relationship between the Lya escape fraction and the sizes of the density bounded regions found in these galaxies. Eventually, we may provide clues about the environment of the primordial galaxies that led to the reionization period of the universe.