KINEMATICS OF MULTIPHASE EXTRAPLANAR GAS IN SPIRAL GALAXIES

Multiphase gas has been observed at large vertical distances above the star forming disk in several nearby spirals. Much of this gas is likely a by-product of star formation processes in the disk, but some may trace gas accretion from the intergalactic medium. High quality observations of the distribution and kinematics of this extraplanar gas shed light on the relative importance of these critical processes, and their contribution to the redistribution and replenishment of the galaxy's reservoir of star forming material. We present recent observations of the kinematics of ionized and neutral extraplanar gas in several nearby galaxies. The balance between infall and outflow implied by the observations is discussed.