Physics
Scientific paper
Jul 2003
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003hst..prop.9735w&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #9735
Physics
Hst Proposal Id #9735 Galaxies
Scientific paper
We propose to make ACS {U, B, V, I, H_alpha}, NICMOS {J, H, K}, and STIS {long-slit H_alpha} observations of NGC 520, NGC 2623, and NGC 3256, three merging galaxies in the middle of the Toomre Sequence and currently in the throes of violent relaxation. Two of these {NGC 2623 and NGC 3256} are the most IR luminous galaxies in the sequence. Hence, these ongoing mergers are ideal candidates for studying the triggering mechanism responsible for the formation of stars and star clusters. The ACS observations will allow us to age date the star clusters, and reliably distinguish clusters from stars based on their apparent sizes. They will also be used in conjunction with ground-based measurements of the stellar velocity dispersion to determine dynamical masses of the clusters and hence address the question of whether the IMF is truncated. The NICMOS observations will allow us to penetrate the dust and answer several fundamental questions such as: What fraction of the young clusters are hidden by dust? How do these clusters form and evolve? The STIS observations will allow us to study the kinematics of the young cluster system and measure the pressure and shock properties which may be triggering the formation of the clusters. A better understanding of how mergers form tremendous numbers of clusters and stars in the local universe will help shed light on processes that were crucial during galaxy assembly in the high-z universe.
No associations
LandOfFree
ACS, NICMOS, and STIS Observations of Three Ongoing Mergers 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 ACS, NICMOS, and STIS Observations of Three Ongoing Mergers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and ACS, NICMOS, and STIS Observations of Three Ongoing Mergers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1732990