The ultraviolet continua of the nuclei of M 31 and M 81.

Ultraviolet measurements of the central 2.5 arcmin of M31 and M81 made with the ANS satellite are reported. A library of standard-star observations is also included for comparison. In agreement with OAO 2 results, it is found that both galaxies exhibit a significant UV excess as compared to expectations for a pure, old metal-rich stellar population including just the main sequence and giant branch. Model calculations show that the excess UV light could be produced either by young stars or by commonly occurring hot stars in an old stellar population. At the present time, several lines of evidence slightly favor old stars. An ultraviolet excess of similar magnitude seems to be common to all early-type galaxies yet observed in the UV and thus may significantly affect the appearance of redshifted galaxies.