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J. M. Cannon, E. D. Skillman (University of Minnesota), D. Kunth (Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris), C. Leitherer (Space Telescope Science Institute)
We present new VLA C-array HI imaging of the Lyman alpha emitting starburst galaxies Tol 1924-416 and IRAS 08339+6517. The effective resolution probes neutral gas structures larger than 4.7 kpc in Tol 1924-416, and larger than 7.7 kpc in IRAS 08339+6517. Both systems are revealed to be tidally interacting: Tol 1924-416 with ESO 338-IG04B (6.6 arcminutes = 72 kpc minimum separation), and IRAS 08339+6517 with 2MASX J08380769+6508579 (3.4 arcminutes = 75 kpc minimum separation). The HI emission is extended in these systems, with tidal tails and debris between the target galaxies and their companions. These observations argue for the importance of interactions in triggering massive star formation events. Furthermore, as Lyman alpha emission has been detected from both of these primary systems, it confirms the hypothesis that the geometry of the ISM is a controlling factor in the escape of Lyman alpha emission from starburst environments.
This work has been supported by NASA GSRP Fellowship NGT 5-50346, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, and NASA through grant GO-9470 from STScI.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 35#5
© 2003. The American Astronomical Soceity.