MeerKAT HI commissioning observations of MHONGOOSE galaxy ESO 302-G014

W. J.G. De Blok, Netherlands Foundation for Research in Astronomy
E. Athanassoula, Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille
A. Bosma, Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille
F. Combes, L'Observatoire de Paris
J. English, University of Manitoba
G. H. Heald, CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science
P. Kamphuis, Ruhr-Universitat Bochum
B. S. Koribalski, Australia Telescope National Facility
G. R. Meurer, The University of Western Australia
J. Román, Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía - CSIC
A. Sardone, The Ohio State University
L. Verdes-Montenegro, Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía - CSIC
F. Bigiel, Universität Bonn
E. Brinks, University of Hertfordshire
L. Chemin, Universidad de Antofagasta
F. Fraternali, University of Groningen, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute
T. Jarrett, University of Cape Town
D. Kleiner, Osservatorio Astronomico di Cagliari
F. M. MacCagni, Osservatorio Astronomico di Cagliari
D. J. Pisano, West Virginia University
P. Serra, Osservatorio Astronomico di Cagliari
K. Spekkens, Royal Military College of Canada
P. Amram, Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille
C. Carignan, University of Cape Town
R. J. Dettmar, Ruhr-Universitat Bochum
B. K. Gibson, University of Hull
B. W. Holwerda, University of Louisville
G. I.G. Józsa, Universität Bonn
D. M. Lucero, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
T. A. Oosterloo, Netherlands Foundation for Research in Astronomy
A. J.T. Ramaila, Observatory
M. Ramatsoku, Osservatorio Astronomico di Cagliari
K. Sheth, National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Abstract

Aims. We present the results of three commissioning H I observations obtained with the MeerKAT radio telescope. These observations make up part of the preparation for the forthcoming MHONGOOSE nearby galaxy survey, which is a MeerKAT large survey project that will study the accretion of gas in galaxies and the link between gas and star formation. Methods. We used the available H I data sets, along with ancillary data at other wavelengths, to study the morphology of the MHONGOOSE sample galaxy, ESO 302-G014, which is a nearby gas-rich dwarf galaxy. Results. We find that ESO 302-G014 has a lopsided, asymmetric outer disc with a low column density. In addition, we find a tail or filament of H I clouds extending away from the galaxy, as well as an isolated H I cloud some 20 kpc to the south of the galaxy. We suggest that these features indicate a minor interaction with a low-mass galaxy. Optical imaging shows a possible dwarf galaxy near the tail, but based on the current data, we cannot confirm any association with ESO 302-G014. Nonetheless, an interaction scenario with some kind of low-mass companion is still supported by the presence of a significant amount of molecular gas, which is almost equal to the stellar mass, and a number of prominent stellar clusters, which suggest recently triggered star formation. Conclusions. These data show that MeerKAT produces exquisite imaging data. The forthcoming full-depth survey observations of ESO 302-G014 and other sample galaxies will, therefore, offer insights into the fate of neutral gas as it moves from the intergalactic medium onto galaxies.