Star Formation within H-II Regions of

Messier 106BY ZOE ZONTOS

Introduction• Messier 106 (NGC 4258)• Constellation: Canes Venatici• RA: 12h 18m 57s | Dec: +47 deg 18’ 13”• Apparent mag: 8.4

H-II Regions

What are H-II regions?

- Low-density clouds of ionized gas.

- Contain ionized atomic hydrogen and are called H-II (where as H-I regions are neutral atomic hydrogen).

H-II Regions (Continued)• Dominant spectral line for H-II regions has a wavelength

of 656.3 m known as the H-alpha line.• Measuring the Hα luminosity emitted by the ionized gas.• Found in nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies (usually

spirals and irregular).

Project Goals (Initially and Revised)• Observe 4-5 galaxies • Compare H-II regions and star formation rates

• Objects observed: • Messier 106

Data Collection and Reduction• Instrument: STX-16803 SBIG• Telescope: ERAU RC 1-m• Main filters used: Hα and r• Exposure times: 1-5 min, 20 min

ResultsHα Filter

ResultsR Filter

Ongoing Results

- Align my r and Hα images- Determining the flux and magnitudes for the regions- Take flux ratios- Use ‘phot’ command- Combine separate filter images

Problems

- Not enough data

- Use of filters

- Weather

- R and Hα lines overlapping

Questions?