arXiv subjects

Kanak Saha

Publications and source records attributed to Kanak Saha.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The kinematics of tadpole galaxies at intermediate redshift $z \sim 0.4 - 1.5$

Galaxy morphology and kinematics encode complementary information about the assembly history of galaxies, but the extent to which they evolve in tandem remains unclear. Tadpole galaxies, characterized by their distinct head-tail morphology and pronounced asymmetry, provide an ideal laboratory for investigating whether strongly asymmetric galaxies can exhibit ordered galaxy-scale kinematics. In this work, we present a detailed analysis of the ionized-gas kinematics of 20 morphologically selected tadpole galaxies at redshifts $z=0.4 - 1.5$ in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field, using deep VLT/MUSE spectroscopy together with HST and JWST imaging. In 13 out of 20 galaxies, the 2D velocity maps derived from the MUSE [O\,{\sc ii}] $\lambda\lambda3726,3729$ emission show evidence for ordered motion, characterized by moderate velocity gradients along the kinematic major axis, while the remaining systems show no clear evidence for galaxy-scale ordered kinematics. In 16 galaxies, the [O\,{\sc ii}] and rest-frame optical emission, probed by HST/F775W, have spatially coincident centroids, with projected offsets of $<2$~kpc. The morpho-kinematic position angles are also generally well aligned, with a median misalignment of $\Delta{\rm PA}\sim12^{\circ}$. Despite the strongly asymmetric tadpole morphologies, these results indicate that a substantial fraction of these systems retain coherent galaxy-scale gaseous kinematics, suggesting that morphological asymmetry need not imply a globally disordered dynamical state. Together, our analyses suggest that morphological and kinematic settlement does not occur simultaneously and these tadpole galaxies might represent a transient evolutionary phase towards the combined morpho-kinematic settlement process.

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arXiv2026

Rubin J122659.4+090236: An Extremely Low Surface Brightness Galaxy Candidate Discovered in the Rubin LSST Early Data Preview 2

We report the serendipitous discovery of an exceptionally low surface brightness galaxy (LSBG) candidate, Rubin J122659.4+090236, in Rubin Observatory imaging of the interacting NGC 4410 system, identified in the Cosmic Treasure Chest public release. 2D S\'ersic modelling of the Rubin g, r, and i images reveals a nearly round system with a shallow profile (n ~ 0.4), an effective radius of R_e ~ 6'', and central surface brightnesses of $\mu_{0,g}=27.52\pm0.04$, $\mu_{0,r}=27.62\pm0.07$, and $\mu_{0,i}=27.04\pm0.08$ mag arcsec$^{-2}$. EAZY photo-z fitting favours an intermediate-z solution at z~0.3, while a low-redshift solution at z~0.028, consistent with the NGC 4410 system, is also permitted by a restricted EAZY fit over 0<z<0.1 without imposing a redshift prior. These alternatives imply substantially different physical interpretations, ranging from a diffuse dwarf-like system to an exceptionally extended background LSBG. This discovery demonstrates Rubin's sensitivity to extremely diffuse galaxies and highlights the potential of the LSST survey to uncover large samples of such elusive systems across wide areas, enabling systematic studies of the LSBG population and its role in galaxy evolution.

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arXiv2026

Clump Migration in Disk Galaxies: Revisiting Chandrasekhar's Dynamical Friction

Massive stellar clumps are thought to migrate toward galactic centers through dynamical friction, contributing to bulge growth and the structural evolution of disk galaxies. While the classical Chandrasekhar formalism is widely used to estimate clump inspiral times, its validity for extended, evolving clumps embedded in realistic galactic disks remains uncertain. We test this formalism using an isolated disk galaxy simulation by identifying and tracking individual stellar clumps over multiple orbital periods. We develop a position- and mass-based tracking algorithm that follows long-lived clumps and compare their measured orbital evolution with predictions from a dynamical friction model constructed from the simulated baryonic and dark matter mass distributions. After excluding the initial transient phase, we identify nine long-lived clumps, eight of which migrate inward while losing 60-90\% of their initial mass. The analytical model reproduces the overall dependence of migration on clump mass and galactocentric radius, but for six clumps it overestimates the inspiral time by factors of $\sim2$-$10$. Since mass loss would reduce the dynamical friction force, it cannot account for the observed faster migration. Our results suggest that additional physical processes, for example clump-clump interactions, non-circular orbits, and the time-dependent disk potential play an important role in regulating clump migration beyond the assumptions of the classical Chandrasekhar formulation.

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arXiv2026

Detection and Properties of Lyman Break Galaxies at $1.6 \leq z \leq 3.0$ in GOODS-North

Lyman Break Galaxies (LBGs) are actively star-forming galaxies identified through their characteristic rest-frame ultraviolet spectral break, making them powerful probes of galaxy evolution across cosmic time. We present a search for LBGs at redshifts $1.6 \leq z \leq 3.0$ in the GOODS-North field using the dropout technique combined with color selection from the 3D-HST data. We utilize two selection criteria to identify LBG candidates at $z \sim 2.1$ and $z \sim 2.7$ via F275W- and F336W-dropouts, yielding 192 and 135 newly identified LBG candidates in the redshift ranges $1.6 \leq z \leq 2.3$ and $2.3 < z \leq 3.0$, respectively. We estimate the physical properties of the LBG candidates, including stellar age, stellar mass, and star formation rate (SFR), using spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting. Morphological analysis shows that the majority of galaxies in our sample exhibit disc-like structures. Overall, the results indicate that these LBGs are low- to intermediate-mass compact galaxies with effective half-light radii of approximately 3.5 kpc.

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arXiv2026

Structural and dynamical properties of Tidal dwarf galaxies in the tails and bridge of the Guitar galaxy Arp 105

We present a multi-wavelength (far-ultraviolet to infrared) analysis of two tidal dwarf galaxy (TDG) candidates and a tidal bridge in the interacting system Arp 105 at $z = 0.029$ in the Abell 1185 cluster. Far-ultraviolet observations obtained with the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope onboard AstroSat reveal strong FUV emission from the tidal galaxies Arp~105N and Arp~105S, indicating recent star formation. In Arp~105N, strong nebular emission lines and large equivalent widths $EW(H\alpha)=77.6\pm1.3$ $\overset{\circ}{\mathrm {A}}$ and $EW(H\beta)=15.8\pm1.7$ $\overset{\circ}{\mathrm {A}}$ imply a dominant starburst age of $\sim$6 - 10~Myr under an instantaneous-burst assumption, while the FUV emission suggests star formation sustained over the past $\sim100 - 200$~Myr. The relatively high metallicity, $\sim2/3,Z_\odot$ (based on the strong-line method), is consistent with expectations for a tidal dwarf galaxy formed from material inherited from the host galaxy. Together, these results suggest that Arp~105N hosts a composite stellar population, consisting of older stars stripped from the host galaxy and younger stars formed in situ. Spectral energy distribution modeling yields stellar masses of $5.75\times10^{9}$, $0.8\times10^{9}$, and $6.8\times10^{9},\rm M_\odot$ for Arp~105N, Arp~105S, and the tidal bridge, respectively. Based on the dynamical mass estimate from VLA HI measurements for Arp~105N and based on CFHT H$\alpha$ kinematics for A105S, they have a dynamical-to-baryonic mass ratio of $\sim1.95$ and $\sim1.30$, respectively, indicating a deficiency of dark matter. Further observations, particularly integral field spectroscopy and high-resolution 21~cm observations, may provide better constraints into the kinematics and improve understanding of TDG formation.

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arXiv2026

Deep far-UV observations of the ELAIS N1 field using AstroSat: Source catalogue, spectral energy distribution modelling and star formation

We present a far-ultraviolet (FUV) photometric study of the ELAIS N1 deep field using the Ultra-Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) onboard AstroSat, observed in the F154W filter ($\lambda_{\rm eff} = 1541$\,\AA) with a total on-source exposure time of 30\,ksec. Level 1 data were reduced using CCDLAB v3.0, yielding source catalogues of 1637 objects at $3\sigma$ and 458 objects at $5\sigma$, with limiting magnitudes of $25.69\,m_{AB}$ and $25.13\,m_{AB}$ respectively. FUV positions are cross-matched against multiwavelength catalogues spanning optical and infrared wavelengths, with redshifts drawn from spectroscopic and photometric sources. Active galactic nuclei (AGN) are identified and excluded via established multiwavelength criteria, leaving a clean sample of star-forming galaxies (SFGs). Spectral energy distribution (SED) modelling is performed using CIGALE, employing a delayed star formation history with an optional late burst, Bruzual \& Charlot stellar population synthesis, Calzetti dust attenuation, and the SKIRTOR AGN module. From the best-fit models, we derive star formation rates (SFRs), total stellar masses, and young stellar masses as a function of redshift. The SFR increases monotonically with redshift, consistent with the evolution of the Star Formation Main Sequence (SFMS). The ratio of young-to-total stellar mass remains approximately constant across $0 < z \lesssim 0.76$, confirming that the sample consists predominantly of secularly evolving systems undergoing steady, self-regulated star formation rather than starburst-driven episodes.

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arXiv2026

Ly$\rm \alpha$ halos and UV continuum morphologies of Tadpole Galaxies at $z> 3$

Tadpole and clump-chain galaxies are a morphologically distinct population among high-redshift star-forming galaxies whose disturbed structures may influence the escape and propagation of Ly$\alpha$ photons. We investigate the Ly$\alpha$ and UV continuum properties of 12 tadpole galaxies in the redshift range of z $\sim$ 3 -- 5.5 identified in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (HUDF) using deep MUSE observations. Accounting for their elongated morphologies, we construct surface brightness profiles and characterize the spatial extent of their Ly$\alpha$ emission. Extended Ly$\alpha$ halos are detected in 10 of the 12 galaxies, demonstrating that diffuse Ly$\alpha$ emission is common among tadpole systems. Approximately 40\% of the sample exhibits double-peaked Ly$\alpha$ profiles. While the effective radii ($\rm R_{e}$) of the Ly$\rm \alpha$ emission generally follow the spatial extent of the UV continuum, the Ly$ \rm \alpha$ halos are typically more symmetric and often exhibit spatial offsets from the stellar component. Some galaxies also display asymmetric and outflow-like Ly$\rm \alpha$ structures suggestive of anisotropic escape and complex radiative transfer effects. Together, these results suggest that the disturbed morphologies of tadpole galaxies may influence the transport of Ly$\rm \alpha$ photons and contribute to the formation of extended Ly$\rm \alpha$ halos in the circumgalactic medium.

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arXiv2026

Multi-band Structural Analysis of KiDS-selected Low Surface Brightness Galaxies with Hyper Suprime-Cam Imaging

We present a homogeneous multi-band structural analysis of 205 KiDS-selected low surface brightness galaxy (LSBG) candidates using deep Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) $G$, $R$, and $I$-band imaging. Structural parameters were derived using single-component S\'ersic modeling with GALFIT. The sample is dominated by diffuse systems with low S\'ersic indices, with the distributions consistently peaking near $n\approx0.7$ across all bands. The estimated $B$-band central surface brightness distribution has a median value of $\tilde{\mu}_{0,B}=24.55$ mag arcsec$^{-2}$, indicating that the galaxies lie firmly within the low surface brightness regime. The catalog is strongly dominated by red systems, comprising 178 red LSBGs (87.3$\%$) and 27 blue LSBGs (12.7$\%$). Despite this color bimodality, the red and blue subsamples show similar structural properties, with no statistically significant differences in S\'ersic index, effective radius, axis ratio, or surface brightness distributions. The absence of a correlation between color and axis ratio further suggests that dust reddening is unlikely to be the primary driver of the red colors. Overall, the sample provides a well-characterized structural reference set of LSBGs in the HSC footprint and confirms that the KiDS selected candidates are predominantly genuine low surface brightness galaxies.

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arXiv2026

Long-Term Dynamical Evolution and Ejection of Near-Earth Asteroids

Long-term integrations of asteroid orbits with high-accuracy numerical integrators are essential for understanding dynamical evolution and ejection from the Solar System, but are computationally expensive. Here, we investigate the dynamical behaviour of asteroids and explore machine-learning (ML) and deep-learning (DL) approaches as efficient, scalable alternatives for classifying long-term dynamical outcomes. While the ML classifiers are trained on initial orbital elements, the convolutional neural network is trained on recurrence plots derived from short-period numerical integrations generated with the MERCURY integrator. Ensemble tree models perform strongly on the ephemeris input, and the neural network captures temporal signatures of chaotic motion with comparable or slightly improved accuracy. Backward integrations reveal partial overlap between forward- and reverse-ejected sets, illustrating time-asymmetric behaviour in chaotic regions; these backward results are interpreted only as diagnostic probes rather than reconstructions of past histories. Non-ejected asteroids largely correspond to known dynamical groups, underscoring the constraining role of initial orbital configuration. These methods provide scalable frameworks to complement numerical integrations and inform prioritisation for detailed long-term dynamical studies, with implications for planetary-defence analyses.

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arXiv2026

The Great Escape of ionizing photons during Cosmic Morning

The end of the Cosmic Dark Age marked the onset of reionization, driven by extreme-UV photons from the first galaxies. Direct detection of such photons has remained challenging due to strong intergalactic attenuation. Here, we report the first direct detection of ionizing photons at rest-frame wavelengths $350\r{A}$, $392\r{A}$, and $485\r{A}$, using deep UV imaging from two independent space observatories: AstroSat and HST. These photons emerge from a stacked sample of spectroscopically confirmed Ly$\alpha$ emitters at $5.9 24.6\ $eV provide evidence that HeI reionization has begun by this epoch.

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arXiv2026

The Kormendy Relation in the First Billion Years: Evidence from $JWST$

Galaxy scaling relations encode key information about the structural, dynamical, and mass assembly histories of galaxies, and provide constraints on galaxy formation models as well as the onset of galaxy assembly. While these relations are well characterized out to intermediate redshifts, their existence during the first billion years of cosmic history remains largely unconstrained due to observational limitations. In this work, we investigate the Kormendy relation (KR) for spheroidal systems at $z~\ge~6$ using rest-frame $B$-band structural parameters derived from publicly available deep \textit{JWST} imaging of the GOODS, CEERS, PRIMER-UDS, and PRIMER-COSMOS fields. We find that spheroidal galaxies at these epochs already occupy a well-defined locus in the mean effective surface brightness $(\langle~\mu_{\rm e}~\rangle)$ and effective radius ($\rm~R_{\rm e}$) plane, demonstrating that a KR is already in place when the universe was less a gigayear old. The best-fit relation has a slope of $\beta~=~4.25^{+0.40}_{-0.39}$ and a zero-point of $\alpha~=~15.89^{+0.17}_{-0.17}$, indicating a steeper relation and systematically higher surface brightness compared to the local relation. This steepness reflects the compact sizes and high central stellar-mass densities of these systems, consistent with rapid, dissipative assembly in environments with high gas fractions, likely driven by efficient gas inflows, and gas-rich mergers. The presence of dense bulges embedded in some of these galaxies at similar redshifts further supports a common formation pathway for both bulges and spheroids. Altogether, these findings indicate a predominantly dissipative mode of assembly for the first spheroidal systems which may evolve into the compact quiescent galaxies observed at later cosmic epochs.

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arXiv2026

Massive disk galaxies with high surface brightness plus low surface brightness stellar disks, hosted by massive dark matter halo -- a TNG50 simulation study

We study massive disk galaxies (total stellar mass$>=10^{11}$ $\mathrm{M_{\odot}}$) from IllustrisTNG50 simulation, and perform 2-D structural decomposition of the galaxies using their idealised, synthetic SDSS images for z=0. We find an interesting sample of galaxies having a central high surface brightness (HSB) stellar disk, surrounded by an extended low surface brightness (LSB) stellar disk, similar to giant LSB galaxies. These massive, double-exponential disk galaxies are found to be hosted by dark matter haloes of $\sim 10^{12} \mathrm{M_{\odot}}$ in agreement to observations of such galaxies. Their maximum rotation velocity, an approximate measure of their dynamical mass, lies within $\sim$ (300-500) km/s. The stellar-to-dark matter mass ratio and the baryon-to-dark matter mass ratio of the sample lies in the range of $\sim$ (0.04 - 0.46) and $\sim$ (0.07 - 0.47) respectively. Our results show that cosmological simulations are able to form disc galaxies with HSB plus LSB disks, as in observations.

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arXiv2026

Escaping ionizing photons from massive spiral galaxies at $z\sim 1$

We report the detection of Lyman continuum (LyC) photons from three massive ($\text{M}_{*}>10^{10}\:\text{M}_{\odot}$) spiral galaxies at a redshift of nearly 1 in the AstroSat UV Deep Field South. Notably, all three systems are viewed at low inclination (i.e., nearly face-on), prompting an investigation into the role of galaxy orientation in the detectability of LyC emission from disk systems. Two of the three galaxies, however, host active galactic nuclei (AGNs), adding complexity to the interpretation of the LyC signal. We present a detailed analysis of the likely star-forming case, and report tentative evidence that a face-on viewing angle may enhance the likelihood of LyC detection in disk galaxies. This represents the first detection of LyC emission from well-characterized spiral galaxies at high redshift, offering a new window into LyC escape mechanisms in such systems. Our findings highlight the need to consider geometric factors and anisotropic escape pathways facilitated by feedback processes alongside more traditional density-bounded scenarios that imply isotropic escape.

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arXiv2026

AstroSat UV Deep Field IV. An Extended UV disk around a massive spiral galaxy at z=0.67

Extended ultraviolet (XUV) emission in nearby disk galaxies supports the inside-out growth scenario through low-efficiency star formation in their outer regions. However, such detections have largely been limited to the local Universe ($z \sim 0$) due to the need for deep, high-resolution UV imaging. We report the detection of a clumpy XUV disk in a massive, isolated spiral galaxy ($\log(M_*/M_\odot) \approx 11.04$) at $z=0.67$, observed with AstroSat/UVIT. The intrinsic rest frame FUV surface brightness profile, corrected for the instrument PSF, shows a more extended disk than its optical and IR counterparts. The XUV disk reaches nearly twice the optical radius and includes a large UV-bright low surface brightness (LSB) region ($S_{LSB}/S_{K80}\approx15,\ \mu_{FUV}-\mu_K\approx0.8$), consistent with the Type II XUV definition. Additionally, the detection of UV clumps without optical counterparts supports a Type I classification, suggesting gravitational instabilities and recent star formation. These features point to recent cold gas accretion onto the outer disk. From the asymmetric light profile, we estimate a gas accretion rate of $\sim11\ M_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$, providing evidence of active disk growth at intermediate redshift.

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arXiv2025

Chemically primitive dwarf accretion reignites the inner disk assembly of Malin 1

We present a detailed kinematic and stellar population analysis of the inner disk of Malin 1, a giant low surface brightness (GLSB) galaxy with a prominent SB0-type central morphology. AstroSat far-UV imaging reveals clumpy emission features indicating recent star formation. Using MUSE integral field spectroscopy, we identify four star-forming complexes (SFCs) within the inner 10 kpc, each associated with localized ionized gas emission in distinct H$α$ velocity channels. Two of the SFCs, including a far-UV clump, appear on the blue-shifted side ($V_{Hα}=-230~\mathrm{kms^{-1}}$), while the other two are redshifted. The far-UV clump shows a strong velocity offset ($\sim150~\mathrm{kms^{-1}}$) and high gas dispersion ($\sim250~\mathrm{kms^{-1}}$), indicating that it is kinematically decoupled from the rotating disk. The spatial and velocity isolation of these features in the channel map confirms they do not follow regular disk rotation. The far-UV clump hosts young (250-500 Myr), extremely metal-poor ([M/H]$\simeq$ -1.69) and $α$-enriched ($[α/Fe] \sim 0.5$) stellar populations, sharply contrasting with the surrounding super-solar gas-phase metallicity. The young stellar populations in each SFC are chemically distinct (similar to the far-UV clump) from the enriched central ISM, indicating rapid, local star formation from primitive gas before efficient mixing with the enriched ISM. Their spatial and velocity segregation, age synchronicity, and chemical homogeneity suggest an origin of gas delivered by a disrupted, gas-rich dwarf on a high-inclination (off-plane) orbit. These results suggest that the central HSB within $\rm \sim 9^{\prime\prime} (14\ kpc)$ radius component of Malin 1 has grown through discrete, externally driven accretion, contributing to its complex, hybrid disk morphology.

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arXiv2025

The AstroSat UV Deep Field South-V: Constraints on the average escape of ionizing photons in the cosmic dusk

We investigate the escape of ionizing (Lyman-continuum; LyC) photons from 49 star-forming galaxies at redshifts $\sim 1-1.5$, using far-ultraviolet (FUV) imaging from the Ultra-Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) onboard AstroSat. The sample spans a wide range of stellar masses and UV luminosities. LyC emission is undetected in most galaxies (42/49), and stacking these galaxies yields only an upper limit on the observed LyC-to-nonionizing UV flux density ratio ($({F}_{λ,\rm{LyC}}/{F}_{λ,\rm{UV}})_{\rm{obs}}<0.12$). Including all galaxies (with 7 LyC-leaker candidates) produces a marginal $2.4σ$ detection, suggesting that the average LyC signal is driven by a small number of sources. To identify the conditions favorable for LyC escape, we perform stacking analyses in bins of stellar mass, UV slope, compactness, inclination, and star formation rate surface density. A stacked LyC signal is detected at a significance of $\sim3σ$ from a subset of galaxies that are characterized as being compact, have high star formation rate surface densities, and blue UV continuum slopes, despite each of these being individually undetected in LyC. This provides the first systematic evidence at $z\sim 1-1.5$ linking these properties to LyC escape, consistent with trends observed in the lower redshift universe. Additionally, LyC leakage appears more efficient in low-mass galaxies ($\log_{10}(M_{*}/M_{\odot})<9.5$), with their average absolute escape fraction ranging from $\langle f_{\text{esc,abs}} \rangle\sim0.1-0.2$ depending on stellar population assumptions. These results support the scenario that compact, low-mass starbursts were key contributors to the ionizing photon budget during cosmic reionization.

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arXiv2025

Rapid bulge assembly in young galaxy disks at Cosmic Dawn

Recent observations with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have begun to reveal a surprising morphological diversity in galaxies within the first billion years after the Big Bang, including indications of structural maturity previously thought to arise much later. These findings raise fundamental questions about when and how well-known structural components of galaxy morphology, such as bulges and disks, first emerged. However, directly identifying and resolving such structures at z $>$ 6 remains challenging due to limited spatial resolution and sensitivity. In this work, we present a clear and robust morphological analysis of a sample of 190 galaxies at z $>=$ 6, demonstrating that distinct bulge and disk components were already beginning to emerge during this early epoch. Using multi-component light profile fitting, we model the radial brightness distributions of a subset (20) of galaxies with an inner spheroidal (Sersic) component and an underlying exponential disk. These systems exhibit high bulge-to-total (B/T) light ratios (~ 0.47) and central stellar mass surface densities (~ 2.82*10$^{8}$ M$_{sun}$ kpc$^{-2}$ ) - values close to those of nearby quiescent galaxies. Combined with their intense central star formation rate surface densities (~ 1.26*10$^{1}$ M$_{sun}$ yr$^{-1}$ kpc$^{-2}$ ), our results indicate a rapid building of inner stellar mass and bulge assembly within these young systems. We propose that these early bulge-disk galaxies represent progenitors of massive star-forming and quiescent systems observed at lower redshifts. Their subsequent evolution may proceed through physical processes such as disk growth, compaction, quenching, or bulge-disk co-evolution, driven by both internal dynamics and external interactions.

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arXiv2025

GNHeII J1236+6215: A He II $λ$1640 emitting and potentially LyC leaking galaxy at $z$ = 2.9803 unveiled through JWST & Keck observations

He II $λ$1640 emission in galaxies indicates the presence of sources that produce extreme ionizing photons. Here, we report the discovery of a He II $λ$1640 emitting galaxy, GNHeII J1236+6215, at $z=$ 2.9803 in the GOODS-north field. We use photometry in 17 wavebands from near-UV to infrared to characterize the galaxy SED and combine Keck LRIS and JWST NIRSpec spectra to identify 15 emission lines including He II $λ$1640. We infer that the He$^+$ ionization in the galaxy could be driven by small pockets of young Population III stars or low-metallicity Very Massive Stars (VMSs) rather than AGN or metal-rich Wolf-Rayet stars. The galaxy has a highly ionized ISM ([OIII]5007/[OII]3727 = 7.28$\pm$0.11, [SIII]/[SII] = 1.97$\pm$0.48 and detected Ly$α$, H$α$, H$β$, H$γ$ lines), little reddening by dust (E(B$-$V) = 0.04$\pm$0.12), low metallicity (12 + log(O/H) = 7.85$\pm$0.22), and high star formation rate (SFR$_{\rm SED}$ = 12.2$\pm$2.0 M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$). In addition to these ISM conditions, we also notice a significant [SII] deficiency ([SII]6718,6732/H$α$ = 0.08$\pm$0.02, $Δ$[SII] = $-$0.12) which may indicate the presence of density-bounded optically thin H~II regions that combined with the low dust extinction favor leaking of ionizing Lyman continuum (LyC) photons. Our best-fit SED model also infers a high nebular ionization (log U = $-2.0$) and a low stellar mass M = 7.8$\pm3.1\times$10$^8$M$_{\odot}$. This discovery not only adds one important object to the known sample of high-redshift He~II emitters but also highlights a potential connection between He$^+$ ionization and favorable ISM conditions for the leakage of ionizing photons from galaxies.

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