GBT24B-535

Searching for Companions of J0613+52

Abstract

J0613+52 is a galaxy-sized cloud of rotating gas which has an optical surface brightness of mu(0)< 25.5 g mag/sq.arcsec. Found by the GBT as part of a galaxy survey, J0613+52 is unique in that, unlike all other "almost-dark" galaxies found to date, it is isolated, and has a velocity width (a measure of its dynamic mass) of 200 km/s. Follow-up observations of the region surrounding J0613+52 found a group of galaxies approximately 0.5 degrees (1 Mpc) away. Surprisingly one of the galaxies in the nearby group appears to have extremely extended HI gas. Here we request the time to better understand this galaxy group and to look for a possible HI bridge between J0613+52 and the group. Data from these observations will be combined with VLA 25A observations to create a deep map of J0613+52 and its environs.

Investigators

Name	Institution
Karen O'Neil *	Green Bank Observatory
Wim van Driel	Paris, Observatoire de
Stephen Schneider	Massachusetts at Amherst, University of

* indicates the PI