Physics – Optics
Scientific paper
May 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009aas...21425702m&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #214, #257.02; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 41, p.757
Physics
Optics
Scientific paper
Disk galaxies are composed of several distinct structural components, each associated with different stellar populations. The origins of these structures are unknown. Star clusters are the dominant form of star formation, particularly in regions of extreme physical conditions. Starburst and merging galaxies display an abundance of young, very massive "super star clusters" with up to several million solar masses in stars. Recent observations and n-body simulations indicate that a large fraction of these young, massive clusters rapidly fall apart by an age of 10 Myr, populating the disks of their host galaxies. The unprecedented spatial resolution of Keck laser guide star adaptive optics images allows us to perform photometry in these crowded fields and characterize the relation of clusters to the ambient field star population. We present the highest spatial resolution images ever obtained of super star clusters in nearby starburst galaxies M82 and NGC 1569. Our observations reveal substantial light in excess of equilibrium profiles, and we identify individual stars associated with the clusters out to distances of many halflight radii. From this we infer that these young clusters are seen in the process of losing stars to the field.
No associations
LandOfFree
Young Massive Star Clusters and Stellar Populations 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 Young Massive Star Clusters and Stellar Populations, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Young Massive Star Clusters and Stellar Populations will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1105931