Mapping Lyman Continuum escape in Tololo 1247-232
  Low redshift, spatially resolved Lyman continuum (LyC) emitters allow us to
clarify the processes for LyC escape from these starburst galaxies. We use
Hubble Space Telescope (HST) WFC3 and ACS imaging of the confirmed low-redshift
LyC emitter Tol 1247-232 to study the ionization structure of the gas and its
relation to the ionizing star clusters. We perform ionization parameter mapping
(IPM) using [O III]4959, 5007 and [O II]3727 imaging as the high- and
low-ionization tracers, revealing broad, large-scale, optically thin regions
originating from the center, and reaching the outskirts of the galaxy,
consistent with LyC escape. We carry out stellar population synthesis modeling
of the 26 brightest clusters using our HST photometry. Combining these data
with the nebular photometry, we find a global LyC escape fraction of f_esc =
0.12, with uncertainties also consistent with zero escape and with all measured
f_esc values for this galaxy. Our analysis suggests that, similar to other
candidate LyC emitters, a two-stage starburst has taken place in this galaxy,
with a 12 Myr old, massive, central cluster likely having pre-cleared regions
in and around the center, and the second generation of 2 - 4 Myr old clusters
dominating the current ionization, including some escape from the galaxy.
