IC 10: More evidence that it is a blue compact dwarf

McCall, M. L.; Borissova, J.; Richer, M. G.; Bullejos, A.; Lee, H.; Kurtev, R.; Georgiev, L.; Kingsburgh, R. L.; Ross, R.; Rosado, M.
Bibliographical reference

Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.370, p.34-42 (2001)

Advertised on:
4
2001
Number of authors
10
IAC number of authors
1
Citations
64
Refereed citations
55
Description
We present optical spectroscopy of H Ii regions in the Local Group galaxy IC 10 and UBVR photometry of foreground stars in three fields towards this galaxy. From these data, we find that the foreground reddening due to the Milky Way is E(B-V)=0.77+/- 0.07 mag. We find that IC 10 contains considerable internal dust, which qualitatively explains the variety of reddening values found by studies of its different stellar populations. Based upon our foreground reddening, IC 10 has intrinsic photometric properties like those of a blue compact dwarf galaxy, and not those of a dwarf irregular. This result is consistent with much evidence that IC 10 is in the throes of a starburst that began at least 10 Myr ago. We also report the discovery of a new WR star in the H Ii region HL111c.