Observations of Stellar Systems in Seyfert's Sextet

Computer Science

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Hst Proposal Id #8717 Stellar Populations

Scientific paper

We propose to obtain imaging in WFPC2 UBVI filters of the compact group of galaxies known as Seyfert's Sextet, near enough that super star clusters are detectable and luminosity profiles can be constructed for possible dwarf galaxy members, yet compact enough that the Sextet can be imaged in one pointing. Stages of Toomre's merger sequence, from initial encounter through interaction to final merger, occur simultaneously in the field-of-view. Our goal is to appraise the epochs of star formation associated with each of these stages in order to assess the role interactions and mergers play in the formation of stellar systems {e.g. globular clusters, dwarf galaxies} and in the evolution of galaxies within dense groups. Analysis of earlier HST observations {e.g. NGC 4038/9} has shown that stellar population ages can be determined by imaging in four filters. Single burst star formation systems, such as super star clusters, will be used to pinpoint eras of starburst. Stellar ages in tidal dwarfs, i.e., small galaxies forming in tidal tails, will indicate whether their stars were born in the sudden collapse of an HI cloud or whether they are clumps of stars torn from the ``parent'' galaxy. The formation epochs of stellar systems, along with their spatial distribution, and the detailed morphologies of the giant galaxies will constrain numerical simulations which attempt to model the Sextet's interaction history and/or the evolution of compact groups.

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