Nos encontramos em uma localização vantajosa para o estudo da formação e evolução de galáxias espirais. Situados no disco da Via-Láctea, somos capazes de fazer observações detalhadas sobre as estrelas individuais que a compõem. Com o avanço tecnológico das últimas décadas, foi possível coletar um grande conjunto de informações, (e.g. composição química, cinemática, astrometria e parâmetros atmosféricos), com alta resolução para uma vasta parte do volume Galáctico. Com o objetivo de compreender melhor a nossa Galáxia, desenvolvemos uma ferramenta, chamada StarHorse, que estima parâmetros como distâncias, idades, massas e avermelhamento utilizando informação disponível em levantamentos espectroscópicos, fotométricos e astrométricos. O código StarHorse estima os parâmetros através de um método Bayesiano, que constrói uma distribuição de probabilidade a partir do cálculo de verossimilhança entre observações e modelos de evolução teórica e a partir de priores Galácticos bem conhecidos. Os parâmetros que o StarHorse estima são cruciais para estudos de arqueologia Galáctica. Com eles é possível investigar a estrutura, o histórico de formação estelar, a função de massa inicial, o mapa tridimensional da nossa Galáxia e também adicionar vínculos a modelos quemodinâmicos da Via Láctea Neste trabalho, focaremos na descrição e validação do método, testando sua aplicabilidade em levantamentos recentes de espectroscópica, astrometria e fotometria. Também disponibilizamos catálogos com distâncias e extinção para comunidade astronômica. As nossas distâncias e extinções se tornaram referência dentro da colaboração APOGEE e foram liberadas junto com o seu Data Release 14. Ademais, catálogos foram liberados para os surveys RAVE, Gaia-ESO e GALAH. Neste trabalho, exploramos os resultados do StarHorse, especialmente os resultados APOGEE, em um contexto amplo de arqueologia Galáctica. / We are in an advantageous position to study the formation and evolution of disk galaxies. By being inside the Milky Way, we are able to make detailed observations about the individual stars that compose it. With the technological revolution of the latest years, it has been possible to collect a massive set of information, (e.g. chemical composition, kinematics, astrometry, and atmospheric parameters), with high resolution for a large portion of the Galactic volume. With the goal to understand better our Galaxy, we developed a tool, called StarHorse, that can estimate distances, ages, masses, and extinction from the available spectroscopic, astrometric, and photometric information. StarHorse makes these estimates through a Bayesian method, that builds a probability distribution over the models by calculating a likelihood function between observation and stellar evolution models, and by using common knowledge about our Galaxy as priors. The parameters that StarHorse estimates are crucial to Galactic archaeology studies. With them, we can investigate the structure, the star formation history, the initial mass function, the three-dimensional dust map of our Galaxy, and provide constraints to chemodynamical models of the Milky Way. In this work, we focus on the description and validation of the method, testing its applicability in recent spectroscopic and astrometric surveys. We also make available catalogs with distances and extinctions to the astronomy community. Our distances and extinctions became a reference inside the APOGEE-team and were released as part of the SDSS Data Release 14. Moreover, we made available catalogs also to other spectroscopic surveys such as Gaia-ESO, RAVE, and GALAH. In this work, we also explore these results, especially for APOGEE, in a broad Galactic archaeology context.

Ma thèse est centrée sur l'étude de l'interaction entre les étoiles massives et le milieu environnant. Je suis particulièrement intéressé par l'effet qu'ont ces étoiles sur les jeunes objets stellaires observés autour d'elles. Les étoiles massives forment des régions d'hydrogène ionisé (HII) dont l'expansion supersonique conduit à la formation d'une couche de gaz et de poussières où les conditions paraissent favoriser la formation stellaire. Mon travail consiste à étudier les propriétés des jeunes objets stellaires autour de ces régions HII et à savoir si la région HII a influencé positivement la formation de ces sources.En utilisant les données Herschel, issues des programmes HOBYS et Hi-GAL, complétées par d'autres observations, j'ai étudié deux régions HII galactiques (RCW~79 et RCW~120) afin de caractériser la formation stellaire observée à leurs frontières. Pour étudier l'impact de la photoionisation, j'ai calculé le taux de formation stellaire (SFR) pour ces deux régions. Cette grandeur suggère que RCW~79 et RCW~120 sont des régions de formation stellaire actives malgré leur relative faible densité surfacique de gaz. Une nouvelle étude de la région G345 est en cours. Cette région HII est située au-dessus du plan galactique et forme activement des étoiles. Avec les données disponibles, les propriétés de la formation stellaire seront discutées. Cette étude nous donne l'opportunité de mieux comprendre les effets de la photoionisation en dehors du plan galactique. Cette région viendra augmenter notre échantillon de régions HII, ce qui est nécessaire pour avoir une vision globale des mécanismes en jeu et pour mieux comprendre l'efficacité de la formation stellaire. / My PhD thesis deals with the study of the interaction between high mass stars and their surrounding medium. I am particularly interested in the way high-mass stars affect the young stars observed around them. Massive stars form ionized (HII) regions which, during their supersonic expansion, lead to the formation of a layer of gas and dust where the conditions seem to favor star formation. My work aims at understanding the properties of star formation around Galactic HII regions.Using \herschel\, data (HOBYS and Hi-GAL programs) complemented with ancillary data, I studied two Galactic \HII\, regions (RCW~79 and RCW~120) to characterize the star formation observed at their edges. To study the impact of the ionization pressure, I computed the Star Formation Rate (SFR), which suggests that RCW~79 and RCW~120 are active star-forming regions despite their low gas surface density.A new study about the G345 region is in progress. This HII region is located above the Galactic plane and is actively forming stars. With the data available, the star formation's properties is being derived such as the spatial distribution of clumps, their stellar content, the SFR and CFE. This new study offers another opportunity to better understand the photoionization feedback out of the Galactic plane. Moreover, this will complete the sample of detailed studies of \HII\, regions, allowing us to obtain a global view of the mechanisms at play and of the efficiency of star formation in these regions.

In this paper, we report a new estimate of the absolute proper motion (PM) of the globular cluster NGC 5139 (omega Cen) as part of the HST large program GO-14118+ 14662. We analyzed a field 17 arcmin southwest of the center of omega Cen and computed PMs with epoch spans of similar to 15.1 years. We employed 45 background galaxies to link our relative PMs to an absolute reference-frame system. The absolute PM of the cluster in our field is (mu(alpha) cos delta, mu(delta))=(-3.341. 0.028, -6.557 +/- 0.043) mas yr(-1). Upon correction for the effects of viewing perspective and the known cluster rotation, this implies that for the cluster center of mass (mu(alpha) cos delta, mu(delta))=(-3.238. 0.028, -6.716 +/- 0.043) mas yr(-1). This measurement is direct and independent, has the highest random and systematic accuracy to date, and will provide an external verification for the upcoming Gaia Data Release 2. It also differs from most reported PMs for omega Cen in the literature by more than 5 sigma, but consistency checks compared to other recent catalogs yield excellent agreement. We computed the corresponding Galactocentric velocity, calculated the implied orbit of omega Cen in two different Galactic potentials, and compared these orbits to the orbits implied by one of the PM measurements available in the literature. We find a larger (by about 500 pc) perigalactic distance for omega Cen with our new PM measurement, suggesting a larger survival expectancy for the cluster in the Galaxy.

O efeito Sunyaev-Zel\'dovich (ESZ) é uma das mais promissoras técnicas de investigação cosmológica envolvendo os aglomerados de galáxias e a radiação cósmica de fundo (RCF). Tal efeito é uma modificação no espectro planckiano da RCF devido à interação dos fótons com os elétrons energéticos que permeiam o meio intra-aglomerado. Nesta tese de doutorado, vinculamos alguns parâmetros cosmológicos e investigamos a estrutura dos aglomerados de galáxias. Para tal, consideramos amostras de aglomerados para os quais existem medidas conjuntas do ESZ e do brilho em Raios-X. Duas amostras são consideradas, a saber: os 25 dados compilados por de De Filippis et al. (2005), na qual os aglomerados são descritos por modelos isotérmicos (esférico e elíptico), e os 38 dados da amostra de Bonamente et al. (2006) que utilizam um modelo esférico, não isotérmico. Inicialmente, nós investigamos as implicações das diferentes descrições na obtenção do parâmetro de Hubble, $H_0$, no contexto do modelo $\\Lambda$CDM plano e em cosmologias mais gerais, como o $XCDM$ plano e $\\Lambda$CDM com curvatura. Os resultados dependem da amostra e das hipóteses subjacentes. Mostramos que a análise conjunta envolvendo o ESZ/Raios-X de aglomerados, as oscilações acústicas dos bárions e o parâmetro de desvio ({\\it shift parameter}) constituem uma técnica interessante para se determinar $H_0$ e que seu valor depende apenas fracamente da curvatura e do parâmetro da equação de estado da energia escura. Analisando as diversas amostras, nós obtemos também que a descrição elíptica de De Filippis et al. (2005) é a que melhor se ajusta com medidas independentes da física de aglomerados. Posteriormente, utilizando dados de aglomerados (ESZ/Raios-X) e adotando uma des\\-crição puramente cinemática do Universo, obtemos que a probabilidade do parâmetro de desaceleração ser negativo é de 92\\% para a amostra de Bonamente et al. (2006) e de 72\\% para o caso elíptico De Filippis et al. (2005). Ainda nesta linha, simulando os resultados dos vários mapeamentos de Sunyaev-Zeldovich que estão em andamento, discutimos a capacidade dessa técnica (em combinação com dados de Raios-X de aglomerados) para vincular parâmetros cosmológicos. Por outro lado, considerando que a obtenção das distâncias de diâmetro angular de aglomerados pela técnica do ESZ/raios-X depende da relação de dua\\-lidade, investigamos as conseqüências desta dependência de duas formas distintas: (i) testando a consistência entre a validade estrita da relação no modelo de concordância cósmica e as suposições utilizadas para descrever os aglomerados, e (ii) Considerando distâncias independentes (luminosidade e diâmetro angular) obtidas das supernovas Ia e dos aglomerados de galáxias, nós propomos um novo teste para a relação de dualidade que além de auto-consistente é independente de modelo cosmológico. Finalmente, para este teste, discutimos também influência dos diferentes tipos de ajuste das curvas de luz de supernovas. Nossos vínculos para $H_0$ e as conseqüências estatísticas baseadas na relação de dualidade, fornecem uma nova evidência de que a verdadeira geometria dos aglomerados tem uma forma elíptica. Tais resultados também reforçam o interesse pela pesquisa observacional de SZE e de raios-X de aglomerados em moderados e altos {\\it redshifts}. / The so-called Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect (SZE) is one of the most promising techniques for cosmological investigations involving galaxy clusters and the cosmic background radiation (CMB). Such an effect is a modification of the Planckian spectrum due to the interaction between the CMB photons and the hot electrons filling the intracluster medium. In this PhD thesis, we constrain some cosmological parameters and investigate the structure of galaxy clusters based on some samples for which the cluster are endowed with simultaneous measurements of SZE and X-ray surface brightness. Two different samples of galaxy clusters are considered, namely: the 25 data compiled by De Fillippis et al. (2005), and the 38 data sample of Bonamente et al. (2006), based on the non-isothermal spherically symmetric model. Initially, we constrain the value of the Hubble parameter, $ H_0 $, by taking into account the different assumptions underlying the galaxy cluster samples in the context of a flat $\\Lambda$CDM model, as well as, for more general cosmologies like the flat XCDM model and $\\Lambda $CDM with curvature. The results depend on the model assumptions and samples. It is also found that a joint analysis involving ESZ/Raios-X of clusters, the baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) and shift parameter, constitutes an interesting technique for constraining the Hubble parameter and that its value is weekly dependent on the curvature, as well as on the equation of state parameter of the dark energy. By analysing the different samples, we conclude that the elliptical description of the De Filippis et al. (2005) provides the best quality description in comparison with measurements that are independent from galaxy clusters physics. Furthermore, by using galaxy cluster data (SZE/X-ray) and adopting a purely kinematical description for the universal expansion, we obtain that the decelerating parameter is negative with 92 \\% and 72 \\% of the probability by using the Bonamente et al. (2006) and De Filippis et al. (2005) samples, respectively. By simulating future data set, the ability of the ongoing SZE observations to obtain tighter constraints on the expansion history through SZE/X-ray technique is also discussed. On the other hand, since the SZE/X-ray technique for measuring angular diameter distance of clusters depends on the cosmic distance duality relation (DD relation) validity, we investigate the consequences of such a dependence in two distinct ways: (i) we test the consistence between the strict validity of DD relation in the framework of the $\\Lambda$CDM model (WMAP7) and the different assumptions underlying the galaxy cluster geometries, and (ii) we propose a self-consistent and model-independent test for the DD relation by using type Ia supernovae and galaxy clusters data. Finally, for such a test, we also analyse the influence of the different supernovae light curve fitter methods. Our constraints for $H_0$ and the statistical consequences of the distance duality relation provide a new evidence that the true geometry of galaxy clusters is provided by the elliptical form. Such results also reinforce the interest for the observational research involving the Sunyaev-Zeldovich and X-rays from galaxy clusters at moderate and high {\\it redshifts}.

Após uma revisão das bases da cosmologia moderna e dos mecanismos de produção de anisotropias na radiação cósmica de fundo, calculamos a relação entre a polarização da radiação cósmica de fundo causada por espalhamento Thomson no gás ionizado presente em aglomerados de galáxias e o potencial gravitacional da época do desacoplamento dos fótons com a matéria, em z \' 1100. Mostramos como é possível realizar, em teoria, uma tomografia desse potencial gravitacional em todo o universo observável e como a correlação desse sinal de polarização com o contraste de densidade de matéria poderia nos ajudar a restringir parâmetros cosmológicos. Entretanto, o fraco sinal esperado para essa polarização nos leva à conclusão de que uma tomografia do potencial gravitacional, através desse método, é impraticável no futuro próximo. / After a review of the foundations of modern cosmology and the cosmic microwave background anisotropies production mechanisms, we calculated the relation between the cosmic microwave background polarization caused by Thomson scattering in the ionized gas found in galaxy clusters and the gravitational potential from the photon decoupling epoch, on z \' 1100. We have shown how it is possible to make, in theory, a tomography of this potential over all the observable universe and how the correlation of this polarization signal with the matter density contrast could help us constrain cosmological parameters. However, the weak signal expected for this polarization shows that a gravitational potential tomography using this method is unfeasible in the near future.

We use VLBA+VLA observations to measure the sizes of the scatter-broadened images of six of the most heavily scattered known pulsars: three within the Galactic Centre (GC) and three elsewhere in the inner Galactic plane (Delta l < 20 degrees). By combining the measured sizes with temporal pulse broadening data from the literature and using the thin-screen approximation, we locate the scattering medium along the line of sight to these six pulsars. At least two scattering screens are needed to explain the observations of the GC sample. We show that the screen inferred by previous observations of SGR J1745-2900 and Sgr A*, which must be located far from the GC, falls off in strength on scales less than or similar to 0 degrees.2. A second scattering component closer to (Delta < 2 kpc) or even (tentatively) within (Delta < 700 pc) the GC produces most or all of the temporal broadening observed in the other GC pulsars. Outside the GC, the scattering locations for all three pulsars are similar or equal to 2 kpc from Earth, consistent with the distance of the Carina-Sagittarius or Scutum spiral arm. For each object the 3D scattering origin coincides with a known H II region (and in one case also a supernova remnant), suggesting that such objects preferentially cause the intense interstellar scattering seen towards the Galactic plane. We show that the H II regions should contribute greater than or similar to 25 per cent of the total dispersion measure (DM) towards these pulsars, and calculate reduced DM distances. Those distances for other pulsars lying behind H II regions may be similarly overestimated.

A study has been conducted of 12C/13C ratios in five complex molecules in the Galactic center. H2CS, CH3CCH, NH2CHO, CH2CHCN, and CH3CH2CN and their 13C-substituted species have been observed in numerous transitions at 1, 2, and 3 mm, acquired in a spectral-line survey of Sgr B2(N), conducted with the telescopes of the Arizona Radio Observatory (ARO). Between 22 and 54 individual, unblended lines for the 12C species and 2–54 for 13C-substituted analogs were modeled in a global radiative transfer analysis. All five molecules were found to consistently exhibit two velocity components near VLSR ∼ 64 and 73 km s−1, with column densities ranging from Ntot ∼ 3 × 1014 − 4 × 1017 cm−2 and ∼2 × 1013 − 1 × 1017 cm−2 for the 12C and 13C species, respectively. Based on 14 different isotopic combinations, ratios were obtained in the range 12C/13C = 15 ± 5 to 33 ± 13, with an average value of 24 ± 7, based on comparison of column densities. These measurements better anchor the 12C/13C ratio at the Galactic center, and suggest a slightly revised isotope gradient of 12C/13C = 5.21(0.52) DGC + 22.6(3.3). As indicated by the column densities, no preferential 13C enrichment was found on the differing carbon sites of CH3CCH, CH2CHCN, and CH3CH2CN. Because of the elevated temperatures in Sgr B2(N), 13C isotopic substitution is effectively “scrambled,” diminishing chemical fractionation effects. The resulting ratios thus reflect stellar nucleosynthesis and Galactic chemical evolution, as is likely the case for most warm clouds.

Active galaxies have been in the forefront of astronomic research since their first discovery, at least 50 years ago (e.g. Schmidt, 1963; Matthews & Sandage, 1963). The putative supermassive black hole (SMBH) at their center characterizes their properties and regulates the evolution of these objects. In this thesis, I study the 'demographics' and 'ecology' of active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the context of their evolution and the interaction with their environments (mainly their host galaxy). The number density of AGN has been found to peak at 1 < z < 3 (e.g. Ueda et al., 2003; Hasinger et al., 2005; Richards et al., 2005; Aird et al., 2010), similar to the star formation history (e.g. Silverman et al., 2008a; Aird et al., 2010). However, when taking into account obscuration, faint AGN are found to peak at lower redshift (z ≤ 2) than that of bright AGN (z ≈ 2 - 3; e.g. Hasinger et al., 2005; Hopkins et al., 2007; Xue et al., 2011). This qualitative behaviour is also broadly seen in star-forming galaxies (e.g. Cowie et al., 1996) and is often referred to as 'cosmic downsizing', although this term has developed a number of usages with respect to galaxies (e.g. Bundy et al., 2006; Cimatti et al., 2006; Faber et al., 2007; Fontanot et al., 2009). Though this behaviour is well established up to z ≈ 3, the nature of how and when the initial seed of these AGNs were formed remains an open question. For this study, I use Chandra surveys to study some of the most distant AGN in the Universe (z > 3). The combination of two different size and depth Chandra surveys (Chandra-COSMOS and ChaMP) provides me with the largest to-date z > 3 AGN sample, over a wide range of rest-frame 2-10 keV luminosities [log (Lₓ/erg s⁻¹) = 43.3-46.0] and obscuration (NH = 10²⁰ - 10²³ cm⁻²). I find strong evidence about a strong decline in number density of X-ray AGN above z ≈ 3, and also the association of this decline with a luminosity-dependent density evolution (LDDE; e.g. Gilli et al., 2007). Especially at high redshifts, the different evolution models predict quite different numbers of AGNs. The large size and the wide X-ray luminosity range of this sample reduces the uncertainties of previous studies at similar redshifts making it possible to distinguish between the different models and suggest that observations appear to favour the LDDE model. The observed AGN downsizing behaviour seen via the measured X-ray luminosity function (XLF) could arise due to changes in the mass of the typical active SMBH and/or changes in the typical accretion rate. But how does the growth of SMBHs over cosmic time influence its environment? A powerful way to address this question is to compare the host galaxy properties over a wide range of AGN and accretion rate types. Radio-jets are one of the most prominent constituents of AGN as they can interact directly with the host galaxy. Although AGN with radio jets are rare (they make up to 10 per cent of the total AGN population) radio galaxies make up over 30 per cent of the massive galaxy population and it is likely that all massive galaxies go through a radio-loud phase, as the activity is expected to be cyclical (e.g Best et al., 2005). It is therefore, important to investigate the impact of radio jets on the host galaxy and particularly the star formation. The method I follow focuses on the comparison of the host galaxy properties between optically selected quasar samples, with and without strong radio emission associated with powerful radio-jets, matched in AGN luminosity. Herschel far-infrared observations are used to trace the star formation in the host galaxy, providing minimal AGN contamination. In my first approach, I have constructed a sample of radio-loud and radio-quiet quasars from the Faint Images Radio Sky at Twenty-one centimetres (FIRST) and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 (SDSS DR7), over the H-ATLAS Phase 1 Area (9h, 12h and 14.5h). The main result of this work is that RLQs at lower AGN luminosities tend to have on average higher FIR and 250-μm luminosity with respect to RQQs matched in AGN luminosity and redshift. However, evolution effects could be strong as the quasars in this sample cover a wide range of redshifts (0.4 < z < 5). Therefore, I follow a second approach with the advantage of a QSO sample selection at a single redshift epoch, decomposing the evolution effects from the AGN/star-formation study. The results indicate that radio-jets in powerful QSOs can both suppress and enhance the star formation in their host galaxies. These fundings are consistent with a galaxy mass and jet-power dependence model. Then we expect more massive galaxies to have more star-formation for a given jet-power because their star-formation is more enhanced by the jet. Although radio-jets are the best candidates for a direct AGN impact to the host galaxy, many models refer to an AGN feedback associated with energetic AGN winds and outflows which are expected to suppress the star formation in powerful AGN when compared to the overall galaxy population. My results do not suggest star formation is suppressed in the hosts of optically selected QSOs at z ≈ 1, with more than 30 per cent of them being associated with strong star formation rates (SFR ≈ 350 M⊙ yr⁻¹). Although different interpretations are possible, this result can be explained through periods of enhanced AGN activity and star-forming bursts, possibly through major mergers. However, optical QSOs comprise only a small fraction of the total AGN population. Even if the 'unified model' predicts that the host galaxy properties should not be affected by the viewing angle (type-1 vs. type-2 AGN), several studies have shown results supporting a scenario departing from the basic model. Investigating star formation in the hosts of 24 μm selected type-1&2 AGN, I found that the type-2 AGNs display on average higher star-formation rate than type-1 AGNs. This result is in agreement with previous studies suggesting an undergoing transition between a hidden growth phase and an unobscured AGN phase.

We describe the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV (SDSS-IV), a project encompassing three major spectroscopic programs. The Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment 2 (APOGEE-2) is observing hundreds of thousands of Milky Way stars at high resolution and. high signal-to-noise ratios in the near-infrared. The Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) survey is obtaining spatially resolved spectroscopy for thousands of nearby galaxies (median z similar to 0.03). The extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) is mapping the galaxy, quasar, and neutral gas distributions between z similar to 0.6 and 3.5 to constrain cosmology using baryon acoustic oscillations, redshift space distortions, and the shape of the power spectrum. Within eBOSS, we are conducting two major subprograms: the SPectroscopic IDentification of eROSITA Sources (SPIDERS), investigating X-ray AGNs. and galaxies in X-ray clusters, and the Time Domain Spectroscopic Survey (TDSS), obtaining spectra of variable sources. All programs use the 2.5 m Sloan Foundation Telescope at the. Apache Point Observatory; observations there began in Summer 2014. APOGEE-2 also operates a second near-infrared spectrograph at the 2.5 m du Pont Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory, with observations beginning in early 2017. Observations at both facilities are scheduled to continue through 2020. In keeping with previous SDSS policy, SDSS-IV provides regularly scheduled public data releases; the first one, Data Release 13, was made available in 2016 July.

To eliminate uncertainties introduced by extinction by dust in the optical, we examine to what extent the radio continuum (RC) can probe star formation in dwarf galaxies. Star formation (SF) drives galaxy formation and evolution; acquiring accurate measurements of SF thus becomes crucial in order to understand galaxies. As radio technology improves further, RC surveys will probe the fainter, more quiescent regime of the radio sky. Having a robust manner by which to convert RC luminosities to star formation rate (SFR) has the potential to provide millions of independent SFR measurements out to intermediate redshifts. In order to calibrate the RC to infer SFR, the 40 dwarf galaxies that make up the LITTLE THINGS sample were chosen as the bedrock of the thesis due to the large range of galactic parameters that they cover. RC observations of these galaxies were taken with the VLA between L- and Ka-band (1-33GHz) using the B-, C-, and Darrays, yielding images with 3-10" resolution and rms noise levels between 3 and 15 μJy beam⁻¹. On a global scale, 27 out of the 40 dwarf galaxies exhibited RC emission above the detection threshold, 17 of which were new RC detections. The general picture is an interstellar medium (ISM) largely void of RC emission, interspersed by isolated pockets of RC associated with SF regions; this general picture agreed with what was expected given current models of dwarf galaxies - weaker magnetic fields in the ISM leading to a higher escape of CRe (and resulting reduction in RCNTh emission). This was also backed-up by the relatively low RCNTh fraction - 61 ± 7% at C-band. The observed RC-SFR relation was calibrated to allow the observed RC luminosity of a gas rich dwarf galaxy to be used to infer the SFR; the calibration takes the form SFR [M⊙ yr⁻¹] = 5 x 10⁻¹⁸(RC [WHz⁻¹])0.85. On a resolved basis, only the RCNTh was examined - this is because whether scales of 1 pc, or 1 kpc are investigated, the relationship between the Hα (current SF) and RCTh was not expected to change. Calibrating the resolved RCNTh-SFR relation was best done when using discrete SF regions which varied from 10s up to 100s of pc in size. On these scales, the calibration allows the SFR to be inferred from an observed RCNTh luminosity, and takes the form SFR [M⊙ yr⁻¹] = 1.36 x 10⁻²³(LNTh [WHz⁻¹])1.15. This calibration, however, is only valid for resolved regions forming stars at a rate ≳ 2 x 10⁻⁴M⊙ yr⁻¹. Despite the low flux densities of RCNTh measured from these discrete SF regions, the RCNTh still works well as a SFR tracer whereas Hα, which is largely dependent on stars with mass ≳ 18M⊙, and is thus dependent on the high mass tail of the stellar IMF, will suffer from stochasticity. In a few dwarfs, the equipartition magnetic field strength reaches as high as 30 μG in multiple 100 pc regions, and in one case, 70 μG. However, generally, the weaker magnetic fields in the ISM give the CRe longer lifetimes, and thus more time to be advected out of the galaxy with the magnetic fields frozen into the gas in outflows, or diffuse. This explains in part the lack of RCNTh emission observed in the ISM of dwarf galaxies. Through implementing a simple galactic CRemodel, itwas found that the RCNTh emission associated with the CRe can be used as a SF tracer from approximately 5 up to 70Myr following a burst of SF, while RCTh can be used in its absence prior to 5Myr. The RCNTh luminosity reaches its peak approximately 55Myr after the SF episode, but actually remains nearly constant over the 60Myr following the SF episode, highlighting its potential to be used to infer SFR. The CRemodel also tracked the evolution of the RCNTh spectral index with time. Between values of about -0.4 and -0.7, the RCNTh spectral index can be calibrated to infer the time elapsed since a burst of SF through t[Myr] = -25αNTh. RCNTh spectral indices of -0.8 are consistent with ages between 20 and 55Myr, suggesting that the oft observed spectral index of -0.8 in galaxies may come from the fact that C-band RCNTh emission is dominated by the steep spectral indices of -0.8 from these older SF regions (20-55Myr). For the galaxies that displayed RCNTh emission that was bright enough and sufficiently well resolved, a spectral decomposition of the RC spectrum was performed to infer Hα-independent RCTh, RCNTh, and RCNTh spectral index maps. The spectral decomposition showed DDO50 and NGC1569 to have a low thermal fraction of 23% and 10%, respectively, at C-band, while NGC2366 and NGC4214 were shown to have higher thermal fractions of 48% and 66%, respectively. In summary, dwarf galaxies are not only faint in the RC due to their lower SF activity, but they are also fainter than expected due to CRe escape. Nonetheless, the RC can be used to probe SF in dwarf galaxies not only on a global scale, but also within discrete SF complexes 10s to 100s of pc in size. Theoretically, the RC can be used right from the onset of a burst of SF, where RCTh will dominate, up to ~ 70Myr, at which point RCNTh will dominate. Calibrated by the RC observations in this thesis, both resolved and global SFRs of gas rich, low mass galaxies can be inferred with an uncertainty of ±0.2 dex; the relations allow SFRs of between approximately 2x10⁻⁴ and 0.1M⊙ yr⁻¹ to be inferred.