Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2005-05-20
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
21 pages, 25 figures, accepted by A&A. PS-file with higher resolution figures can be downloaded from http://www.eso.org/~sme
Scientific paper
10.1051/0004-6361:20052908
Accurately determining the star formation history in NGC 4038/4039 -- ``The Antennae'' is hampered by extinction. We therefore used near infrared images obtained with ISAAC at the VLT and with SOFI at the NTT to determine the recent star formation history in this merger. In combination with archival HST data, we determined ages, extinction and other parameters for single star clusters, and properties of the cluster population as a whole. About 70% of the K_s-band detected star clusters with masses >= 10^5 M_sun are younger than 10 Myrs (approximately an e-folding time for cluster ages), which we interpret as evidence for rapid dissolution but not free expansion. The total mass of K-band selected clusters is about 5-10x10^8 M_sun and represents about 3-6% of the total molecular gas. This takes into account only the detected clusters and in view of the rapid dissolution means that this is only a lower limit to the total mass of stars produced in clusters during the burst. Studies of cluster formation in other galaxies recently suggested short cluster dissolution timescales, too, which means that star formation rates may have been severely underestimated in the past. Extinction is strongly variable and very high in some regions, but around A_V=1.3 mag on average. Even though most clusters are detected at least in I-band, only the information about individual cluster ages and extinction allows to avoid uncertainties of orders of magnitude in star formation rate estimates determined from optical fluxes. From the distribution of individual cluster extinction vs. age, which is significantly higher for clusters below 8-9 Myr than for older clusters, we infer that this is the time by which a typical cluster blows free of its native dust cocoon.
Genzel Reinhard
Lehnert Matthew D.
Mengel Sabine
Thatte Niranjan
No associations
LandOfFree
Star-formation in NGC 4038/4039 from broad- and narrow band photometry: Cluster Destruction? does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Star-formation in NGC 4038/4039 from broad- and narrow band photometry: Cluster Destruction?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Star-formation in NGC 4038/4039 from broad- and narrow band photometry: Cluster Destruction? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-237152