Speaker: Karla Arellano-Córdova (UT Austin)
The potential synergy between UV+optical spectra across cosmic time
The study of galaxy evolution across cosmic time requires a broad understanding of the physical processes occurring in star-forming galaxies at different redshifts. Local star-forming galaxies (SFGs) are thought to be close analogs to galaxies at high redshift. Due to their proximity, SGFs are ideal for studying the physical properties, stellar population, and nebular gas in much more detail. In this talk, I will present the results of the physical conditions and metallicities of 45 local star-forming galaxies from the COS Legacy Spectroscopy SurveY (CLASSY). The CLASSY treasury survey comprises UV plus optical spectra of 45 local SFGs selected to cover a wide range of physical properties. In addition, I will discuss the use of photoionization models in order to reproduce the UV and optical nebular emission lines of CLASSY, in particular, the very-high-ionization lines. Such models include the stellar population fit derived from the UV continuum and the measurements of the physical conditions, metallicities, and the ionization parameter from the optical spectra. The goal of these models is to simultaneously reproduce the low, intermediate, and high ionization emission lines. The synergy between UV+optical allows constraining the nebular properties and young stellar population to model the emission line covering different ionization states of the gas. It will allow analyzing the processes required to interpret the high ionization features and explore the physical conditions present in high redshift galaxies.
