Infrared photometry of the Local Group Dwarf Irregular Galaxy IC 10

Abstract

We present near infrared JHK photometry for the central area of the irregular dwarf galaxy IC10. Comparing the red supergiants of IC10 and IC1613 we have determined the reddening of E(B-V)=1.05+-0.10 and the dereddened distance modulus (m-M)_0=23.86+-0.12 mag of Population I stars in IC10. Detection of six Brgamma emission structures clearly outline two star forming regions in the central area of IC10. There is no H_2 emissions down to 4.65 $10^{-16}$ $\rm erg s^{-1} cm^{-2} arcsec^{-2}$ indicating that the dominant excitation mechanism of the molecular gas is from UV radiation from hot young stars. From the comparison of Brgamma and Halpha fluxes, we derive average extinction toward th e star forming regions E(B-V)_ Halpha= 1.8+-0.2. The summarized SFR derived from six Halpha and Brgamma emission structures in our field of view is 0.6 $M_\odot {\rm year^{-1}}$.