LyC Galaxies with Ionizing Radiation Leakage: Properties in the Midinfrared Range Based on Data from the WISE Space Telescope

Abstract

The photometric characteristics in the midinfrared range of compact galaxies with ionizing radiation leakage (LyC galaxies) are studied to find relationships that would enable the quantitative assessment of the ionizing radiation that goes beyond the galaxy. In particular, the relationships between the color characteristics of galaxies according to data from the WISE space telescope and radiation fraction f_esc(LyC) in the Lyman continuum and radiation fraction f_esc(Ly_α) in the Ly_α line, which go beyond the galaxy, are investigated. The dependences of f_esc(LyC) and f_esc(Ly_α) on color index W1–W4 are established from the WISE space telescope data, where W1 and W4 are apparent stellar magnitudes at wavelengths of 3.4 and 22 μm, respectively. This makes color index W1–W4 a useful indicator for quantifying f_esc(LyC) and f_esc(Ly_α) in addition to the previously established some characteristics of LyC galaxies in the optical and ultraviolet ranges. Thus, the radiation of galaxies in the midinfrared range can be used to search for candidates for leaking LyC galaxies with the purpose of their further observations.