Detection of H I associated with the Sculptor dwarf spheroidal galaxy

Neutral hydrogen (H I) has been detected in the Local Group dwarf spheroidal galaxy Sculptor with the 64 m Parkes single-dish telescope and mapped with the Australia Telescope synthesis array. Most of the detected H I is in two clouds similar to 15'-20' away from the optical center. The gas is observed at the same systemic velocity as the stars, but at greater than or equal to 125 km s(-1) away from the Magellanic Stream components in that region. A lower Limit to the H I mass of 3.0 x 10(4) M. is derived from the synthesis observation for an (M-HI/L-B) similar or equal to 0.02. This amount of H I is compatible with mass loss expected from normal giants, even if only 10% of the gas is retained by the galaxy in its neutral form.