Metal Abundances in Small Isolated Gas Rich Dwarf Galaxies

Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Australian National University, Mount Stromlo Observatory, Cotter Road, Weston Creek, ACT 2611, Australia

Abstract

Using an optically-unbiased selection process based on the HIPASS neutral hydrogen survey, we have identified a sample of over 170 spatially isolated, gas-rich dwarf galaxies in the southern hemisphere with cz between 350 and 1500 km s⁻¹, with R-band luminosities and HI masses less than the Small Magellanic Cloud, most of which lack spectroscopic data. This paper summarises our survey criteria and procedures and nebular abundance measurements using the WiFeS IFU on the ANU 2.3 m telescope. (See longer version on astro.ph.)