The AMIGA sample of isolated galaxies

Abstract

Context. Measures of the H i properties of a galaxy are among the most sensitive interaction diagnostic at our disposal. We report here on a study of H i profile asymmetries (e.g., lopsidedness) in a sample of some of the most isolated galaxies in the local Universe. This presents us with an excellent opportunity to quantify the range of intrinsic H i asymmetries in galaxies (i.e., those not induced by the environment) and provides us with a zero-point calibration for evaluating these measurements in less isolated samples.