A general review is given of the content and distribution of interstellar gas within galaxies. The constancy of the ratio N(He)/N(H), independent of galaxy type (spirals and irregulars), is discussed and the possible mechanisms for this constancy are considered. The helium abundance does not vary across the disk of spirals, although nitrogen and possibly other elements do.The gross features of the neutral hydrogen distribution in our Galaxy and other systems are described. In spirals, the peak of the radial distribution of Hi is located well away from the optical center. This is not the case for irregular-type systems. A possible correlation of the relative location of the maxima of Hi and Hii distributions with galaxy type is described. Many spirals studied with high enough relative angular resolution show concentrations of Hi in their outermost regions. These may be due to hydrogen companions or warps in the hydrogen plane. Hydrogen ‘bridges’ are described and a new example for the triple system M81–M82–NGC 3077 is given. This latter case may be an extreme example of distortion by companion galaxies of the Hi associated with a massive galaxy.The neutral hydrogen content of a galaxy and its correlation with other integral properties is discussed. The absorption profile due to hydrogen associated with the radio galaxy Centaurus A is given. Comparison of optical and 21-cm measurements of galaxian redshifts shows excellent agreement over the radical velocity range −400 to + 5200 km s−1. There is, however, a systematic difference between 21 cm and optical redshifts over the range ∼ 1200 to ∼ 2400 km s−1 for optical values based on blue-sensitive spectra. The difference, ∼ 100 km s−1, is most likely due to blending of galaxian and night sky H and K absorption lines. The Hubble Constant is derived from a redshift-21 cm flux relation. Values in the range 78 to 109 km s−1 Mpc−1 are derived. A value of 97 kms−1 Mpc−1 is favored.
Topology of neutral hydrogen distribution with the Square Kilometre Array
