Huchra’s PlaygroundHuchra’s Playground

Little Galaxies that Shouldn’t Exist Little Galaxies that Shouldn’t Exist oror

The Nature of Markarian Galaxies and The Nature of Markarian Galaxies and Studies of Star Formation in Blue GalaxiesStudies of Star Formation in Blue Galaxies

Once Upon a TimeOnce Upon a Time

We lived in a world of single channel detectors We lived in a world of single channel detectors i.e. ONE PIXEL (aperture)i.e. ONE PIXEL (aperture)Sometimes nights were cold because there were Sometimes nights were cold because there were no Warm Rooms and no Emailno Warm Rooms and no EmailAnalog detectors were required. Analog finder Analog detectors were required. Analog finder charts were used (gasp!)charts were used (gasp!)By 1981 observational astronomy was By 1981 observational astronomy was transitioning to the digital worldtransitioning to the digital worldJPH: a single channel photometry and spectra JPH: a single channel photometry and spectra pioneer in terms of technique (and tenacity)pioneer in terms of technique (and tenacity)

Markarian GalaxiesMarkarian Galaxies

Selected by having an unusually Selected by having an unusually strong UV continuumstrong UV continuum

Ah, says Huchra, an intrinsically Ah, says Huchra, an intrinsically interesting sample because they will interesting sample because they will have Emission Lines – John loved have Emission Lines – John loved emission line spectra – absorption emission line spectra – absorption lines are boring, emission lines lines are boring, emission lines means physics is happeningmeans physics is happening

A Diverse Array of A Diverse Array of ObjectsObjects

• From the most massive to the least From the most massive to the least massive galaxies we know; all in one list.massive galaxies we know; all in one list.

• Give JPH a list and he was obsessive – a Give JPH a list and he was obsessive – a required trait for an observer.required trait for an observer.

• His thesis work is likely the first large His thesis work is likely the first large scale integration of galaxy photometry scale integration of galaxy photometry and modeling to determine a star and modeling to determine a star formation historyformation history

• JPH found starbursts before we knew to JPH found starbursts before we knew to call them starburst galaxies. (call them starburst galaxies. (Pasadena Pasadena Bar: 1975 …)Bar: 1975 …)

One of Huchra’s FavoritesOne of Huchra’s Favorites

Many of these properties are not well Many of these properties are not well understood or today: Discovery Remainsunderstood or today: Discovery Remains

The isolated Extragalactic HII region is one of The isolated Extragalactic HII region is one of the most interesting objects in the Universe.the most interesting objects in the Universe.

Starburst rates are so large that these Galaxies Starburst rates are so large that these Galaxies have already consumed themselves – they have already consumed themselves – they shouldn’t be hereshouldn’t be here

Some are so blue (in V-K) that they have no old Some are so blue (in V-K) that they have no old stars; Some are the most metal poor objects stars; Some are the most metal poor objects discovered to datediscovered to date

Enigmatic Properties of the Low Mass Markarian Galaxies

Huchra’ LegacyHuchra’ Legacy

Worked on Interesting large scale problemsWorked on Interesting large scale problems The Markarian list observations rewarded him The Markarian list observations rewarded him

with a vast array of new data with a vast array of new data that’s that’s stimulating and a reminder about discoverystimulating and a reminder about discovery

He then carried that stimulation on to the Galaxy He then carried that stimulation on to the Galaxy redshift survey, the enormously successful work redshift survey, the enormously successful work with Geller on groups and clusters, and the work with Geller on groups and clusters, and the work with Aaronson, Huchra and Mouldwith Aaronson, Huchra and Mould

Huchra Was Here First