The Herschel Virgo cluster survey: V. Star-forming dwarf galaxies - dust in metal-poor environments

Authors :: Grossi, M.
Hunt, L. K.
Madden, S.
Vlahakis, C.
Bomans, D. J.
Baes, M.
Bendo, G. J.
Bianchi, S.
Boselli, A.
Clemens, M.
Corbelli, E.
Cortese, L.
Dariush, A.
Davies, J. I.
De Looze, I.
Alighieri, S. di Serego
Fadda, D.
Fritz, J.
Garcia-Appadoo, D. A.
Gavazzi, G.
Giovanardi, C.
Hughes, T. M.
Jones, A. P.
Pierini, D.
Pohlen, M.
Sabatini, S.
Smith, M. W. L.
Verstappen, J.
Xilouris, E. M.
Zibetti, S.
Publication Year :: 2010
Abstract: We present the dust properties of a small sample of Virgo cluster dwarf galaxies drawn from the science demonstration phase data set of the Herschel Virgo Cluster Survey. These galaxies have low metallicities (7.8 < 12 + log(O/H) < 8.3) and star-formation rates < 10^{-1} M_{sun}/yr. We measure the spectral energy distribution (SED) from 100 to 500 um and derive dust temperatures and dust masses. The SEDs are fitted by a cool component of temperature T < 20 K, implying dust masses around 10^{5} M_{sun} and dust-to-gas ratios D within the range 10^{-3}-10^{-2}. The completion of the full survey will yield a larger set of galaxies, which will provide more stringent constraints on the dust content of star-forming dwarf galaxies.<br />Comment: Letter accepted for publication in A&A (Herschel special issue)

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