Unveiling the Warm Molecular Gas in Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxies

Hierarchical models of galaxy evolution place dwarf galaxies in the role of building blocks while on the other hand alternative models to explain galaxy downsizing have also been put forth. Key to the coherent picture of galaxy evolution is a proper prescription of metal enrichment and how galaxies convert their gas into stars. Our best local universe analogs to study star formation in the early universe are star forming blue compact dwarf galaxies (BCDs) with metallicities ranging as low as 1/50 solar. How these low mass, low metallicity star forming systems form stars relatively efficiently, yet with little detectable CO emission, has been a subject of much investigation over 2 decades and still remains a mystery today. Pinning down the molecular gas reservoir of two wellknown starforming low metallicity dwarf galaxies (He210 and IC10) is the goal of this proposal, using the Herschel SPIRE/FTS spectrometer. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]