An optically directed HI search for new dwarf members of the M 81 group

¹ Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie, Auf dem Hügel 69, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
² University of Minnesota, Astronomy Department, 116 Church St., SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, U.S.A.

Send offprint request to: W.K. Huchtmeier

Received: 13 March 1997
Accepted: 9 May 1997

Abstract

We present a search for neutral hydrogen (HI) emission from optically identified dwarf galaxy candidates in the larger M 81 group area. Of 136 candidates, 68 galaxies have been detected (this corresponds to a detection rate of ~ 49%). Most of the detected galaxies are background objects and fail to be classified as dwarfs. Many known dwarfs in the M 81 group have been detected, but no new members have been discovered.