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Found: High Surface Brightness Compact Galaxies

M. J. Drinkwater, S. Phillipps, J. B. Jones, M. D. Gregg, Q. A. Parker, R. M. Smith, J. I. Davies, E. M. Sadler

astro-pharXiv:astro-ph/9810294

Abstract

We are using the 2dF spectrograph to make a survey of all objects (`stars' and `galaxies') in a 12 sq.deg 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 H-alpha to estimate star formation they contribute at least an additional 5 per cent to the local star formation rate.

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