Chemical and stellar properties of star-forming dwarf galaxies

Abstract

Dwarf galaxies are the least massive, most abundant, and most widely distributed type of galaxies. Hence, they are key to testing theories of galaxy and Universe evolution. Dwarf galaxies sufficiently close to have their gas and stellar components studied in detail are of particular interest, because their properties and their evolution can be inferred with accuracy. This Review summarizes what is known of the stellar and chemical properties of star-forming dwarf galaxies closer than $\sim$20 Mpc. Given their low metallicity, high gas content and ongoing star formation, these objects are supposed to resemble the first galaxies that formed at the earliest epochs, and may thus represent a window on the distant, early Universe. We describe the major results obtained in the past decade on the star formation histories, chemical abundances, galaxy formation and evolution of star-forming dwarfs, and the uncertainties still affecting these results.

This review has been published by Nature Astronomy on January 13${}^{th}$ 2022, and is part of the Collection of short and long articles on Dwarf Galaxies that the Journal is publishing since December 13${}^{th}$, 2021. This version of the article has been accepted for publication after peer review, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections

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