A Local Clue to the Reionization of the Universe
  Identifying the population of galaxies that was responsible for the
reionization of the universe is a long-standing quest in astronomy. We present
a possible local analog that has an escape fraction of ionizing flux of 21%.
Our detection confirms the existence of gaps in the neutral gas enveloping the
starburst region. The candidate contains a massive yet highly compact
star-forming region. The gaps are most likely created by the unusually strong
winds and intense ionizing radiation produced by this extreme object. Our study
also validates the indirect technique of using the residual flux in saturated
low-ionization interstellar absorption-lines for identifying such leaky
galaxies. Since direct detection of ionizing flux is impossible at the epoch of
reionization, this is a highly valuable technique for future studies.
