HI LINE OBSERVATIONS OF NEAR-INFRARED SELECTED LOW-SURFACE BRIGHTNESS GALAXIES

A multi-wavelength study is being made of 4,000 Low Surface Brightness (LSB) galaxies detected in the 2MASS all-sky near-infrared survey. They have similar central K-band surface brightness as optically selected LSBs. About 1,000 of them were observed in the 21 cm HI line, and 30 % were detected. Optical BVRI CCD photometry was obtained of 45 objects. These data provide us with important information on a large, homogenous sample of LSB galaxies (e.g., colours, gas content). They will be used to construct models of the star formation history and evolution of LSBs, and to search for deviations from the ‘classical ’ Tully-Fisher relation. A NEAR-INFRARED SAMPLE OF LOW SURFACE BRIGHTNESS GALAXIES At present, the Low Surface Brightness galaxies (hereafter LSBs) constitute the least well known fraction of galaxies: their number density and physical properties (luminosity, colours, dynamics) are still quite uncertain, though studies [1