We present deep, narrowband imaging of the nearby spiral galaxy M101 and its satellite to analyze the oxygen abundances of their HII regions. We add to the narrowband data set of the M101 Group, consisting of Hα, Hβ, and [OIII] emission lines, the blue [OII]λ3727 emission line for the first time. Using the $R_{23}$ strong-line ratio, we estimate the oxygen abundances of ~720 HII regions throughout the M101 Group. M101 shows a strong abundance gradient, while the satellite galaxies present little or no gradient. There is some evidence for a flattening of the gradient in M101 beyond R ~ 14 kpc. Additionally, M101 shows signs of azimuthal abundance variations to the west and southwest. These features are explored in the context of the M101-NGC 5474 interaction.
Ray Garner, J. Christopher Mihos, Paul Harding, Aaron E. Watkins, Stacy S. McGaugh