MUSE observations of the blue compact dwarf galaxy Haro 14

Abstract

Investigations of blue compact galaxies (BCGs) are essential to advancing our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution. BCGs are low-luminosity, low-metallicity, gas-rich objects that form stars at extremely high rates, meaning they are good analogs to the high-redshift star-forming galaxy population. Being low-mass starburst systems, they also constitute excellent laboratories in which to investigate the star formation process and the interplay between massive stars and their surroundings. This work presents results from integral field spectroscopic observations of the BCG Haro 14 taken with the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) at the Very Large Telescope in wide-field adaptive optics mode. The large MUSE field of view (1′×1′ = 3.8 × 3.8 kpc2 at the adopted distance of 13 Mpc) enables simultaneous observations of the central starburst and the low-surface-brightness host galaxy, which is a huge improvement with respect to previous integral field spectroscopy of BCGs. From these data we built galaxy maps in continuum and in the brightest emission lines. We also generated synthetic broad-band images in the VRI bands, from which we produced color index maps and surface brightness profiles. We detected numerous clumps spread throughout the galaxy, both in continuum and in emission lines, and produced a catalog with their position, size, and photometry. This analysis allowed us to study the morphology and stellar populations of Haro 14 in detail. The stellar distribution shows a pronounced asymmetry; the intensity peak in continuum is not centered with respect to the underlying stellar host but is displaced by about 500 pc southwest. At the position of the continuum peak we find a bright stellar cluster that with Mv = −12.18 appears as a strong super stellar cluster candidate. We also find a highly asymmetric, blue, but nonionizing stellar component that occupies almost the whole eastern part of the galaxy. We conclude that there are at least three different stellar populations in Haro 14: the current starburst of about 6 Myr; an intermediate-age component of between ten and several hundred million years; and a red and regular host of several gigayears. The pronounced lopsidedness in the continuum and also in the color maps, and the presence of numerous stellar clusters, are consistent with a scenario of mergers or interactions acting in Haro 14.