Lyman continuum leakage and red halos - recent studies of Blue Compact Galaxies

Nils Bergvall

Blue Compact Galaxies (BCGs) is a heterogeneous type of star forming dwarf galaxies with luminosities typically below L$_*$. Some are involved in strong global starbursts whose triggering mechanisms and fueling are not well understood but whose impact on galaxy evolution must be significant. I will present some recent studies of local luminous BCGs with focus on Haro 11. This galaxy is of specific interest due to its extreme properties and since FUSE spectra reveal a Lyman continuum leakage, indicating that BCGs may have had a role in the reionization processes in the young universe. I will also briefly discuss the BCG host galaxy properties, in particular the "red halo phenomenon", and starbursts in general.