We present new HST WFC3 near-IR observations of the CMDs in two LSB galaxies, F575-3 and F615-1, notable for having no current star formation based on a lack of H$alpha$ emission. Key features of the near-IR CMDs are resolved, such as the red giant b
ranch (RGB), the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) region and the top of the blue main sequence (bMS). F575-3 has the bluest RGB of any CMD in the literature, indicating an extremely low mean metallicity. F615-1 has unusually wide RGB and AGB sequences suggesting multiple episodes of star formation from metal-poor gas, possibly infalling material. Both galaxies have an unusual population of stars to the red of the RGB and lower in luminosity than typical AGB stars. These stars have normal optical colors but abnormal near-IR colors. We suggest that this population of stars might be analogous to local peculiar stars like Be stars with strong near-IR excesses owing to a surrounding disk of hot gas.
We explore the use of the baryonic Tully-Fisher relation (bTFR) as a new distance indicator. Advances in near-IR imaging and stellar population models, plus precise rotation curves, have reduced the scatter in the bTFR such that distance is the domin
ant source of uncertainty. Using 50 galaxies with accurate distances from Cepheids or tip magnitude of the red giant branch, we calibrate the bTFR on a scale independent of $H_o$. We then apply this calibrated bTFR to 95 independent galaxies from the SPARC sample, using CosmicFlows-3 velocities, to deduce the local value of $H_o$. We find $H_o$ = 75.1 +/- 2.3 (stat) +/- 1.5 (sys) km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$.
A series of population models are designed to explore the star formation history of gas-rich, low surface brightness (LSB) galaxies. LSB galaxies are unique in having properties of very blue colors, low H$alpha$ emission and high gas fractions that i
ndicated a history of constant star formation (versus the declining star formation models used for most spirals and irregulars). The model simulations use an evolving multi-metallicity composite population that follows a chemical enrichment scheme based on Milky Way observations. Color and time sensitive stellar evolution components (i.e., BHB, TP-AGB and blue straggler stars) are included, and model colors are extended into the Spitzer wavelength regions for comparison to new observations. In general, LSB galaxies are well matched to the constant star formation scenario with the variation in color explained by a fourfold increase/decrease in star formation over the last 0.5 Gyrs (i.e., weak bursts). Early-type spirals, from the S$^4$G sample, are better fit by a declining star formation model where star formation has decreased by 40% in the last 12 Gyrs.
Surface photometry at 3.6$mu$m is presented for 61 low surface brightness (LSB) galaxies ($mu_o < 19$ 3.6$mu$m mag arcsecs$^{-2}$). The sample covers a range of luminosity from $-$11 to $-$22 in $M_{3.6}$ and size from 1 to 25 kpc. The morphologies i
n the mid-IR are comparable to those in the optical with 3.6$mu$m imaging reaches similar surface brightness depth as ground-based optical imaging. A majority of the resulting surface brightness profiles are single exponential in shape with very few displaying upward or downward breaks. The mean $V-3.6$ color of LSB is 2.3 with a standard deviation of 0.5. Color-magnitude and two color diagrams are well matched to models of constant star formation, where the spread in color is due to small changes in the star formation rate (SFR) over the last 0.5 Gyrs as also suggested by the specific star formation rate measured by H$alpha$.
The luminosities, colors and Halpha emission for 429 HII regions in 54 LSB galaxies are presented. While the number of HII regions per galaxy is lower in LSB galaxies compared to star-forming irregulars and spirals, there is no indication that the si
ze or luminosity function of HII regions differs from other galaxy types. The lower number of HII regions per galaxy is consistent with their lower total star formation rates. The fraction of total $L_{Halpha}$ contributed by HII regions varies from 10 to 90% in LSB galaxies (the rest of the H$alpha$ emission being associated with a diffuse component) with no correlation with galaxy stellar or gas mass. Bright HII regions have bluer colors, similar to the trend in spirals; their number and luminosities are consistent with the hypothesis that they are produced by the same HII luminosity function as spirals. Comparison with stellar population models indicates that the brightest HII regions in LSB galaxies range in cluster mass from a few $10^3 M_{sun}$ (e.g., $rho$ Oph) to globular cluster sized systems (e.g., 30 Dor) and that their ages are consistent with clusters from 2 to 15 Myrs old. The faintest HII regions are comparable to those in the LMC powered by a single O or B star. Thus, star formation in LSB galaxies covers the full range of stellar cluster mass.
