Abstract
The main goal of this study is to carry out a spatially resolved
investigation of the warm interstellar medium (ISM) in the extremely metal-poor
Blue Compact Dwarf (BCD) galaxy HS 2236+1344. Special emphasis is laid on the
analysis of the spatial distribution of chemical abundances, emission-line
ratios and kinematics of the ISM, and to the recent star-forming activity in
this galaxy. This study is based on optical integral field unit spectroscopy
data from Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph at the Gemini North telescope and
archival Sloan Digital Sky Survey images. The data were obtained in two
different positions across the galaxy, obtaining a total 4 arcsec X 8 arcsec
field which encompasses most of its ISM. Emission-line maps and broad-band
images obtained in this study indicate that HS 2236+1344 hosts three Giant HII
regions. Our data also reveal some faint curved features in the BCD periphery
that might be due to tidal perturbations or expanding ionized-gas shells. The
ISM velocity field shows systematic gradients along the major axis of the BCD,
with its south-eastern and north-western half differing by ~80 km/s in their
recessional velocity. The Ha and Hb equivalent width distribution in the
central part of HS 2236+1344 is consistent with a very young (~3 Myr) burst.
Our surface photometry analysis indicates that the ongoing starburst provides
~50% of the total optical emission, similar to other BCDs. It also reveals an
underlying lower-surface brightness component with moderately red colors, which
suggest that the galaxy has undergone previous star formation. We derive an
integrated oxygen abundance of 12+log(O/H)=7.53\pm0.06 and a nitrogen-to-oxygen
ratio of log(N/O)=-1.57\pm0.19. Our results are consistent, within the
uncertainties, with a homogeneous distribution of oxygen and nitrogen within
the ISM of the galaxy. (abridged)
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