Star Clusters in the Nearby Late-Type Galaxy NGC 1311
Abstract
Ultraviolet, optical and near-infrared images of the nearby (D ≈ 5.5 Mpc) SBm galaxy NGC 1311, obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope, reveal a small population of 13 candidate star clusters. We identify candidate star clusters based on a combination of their luminosity, extent, and spectral energy distribution. The masses of the cluster candidates range from ~103 Msun up to ~105 Msun, and show a strong positive trend of larger mass with increasing with cluster age. Such a trend follows from the fading and dissolution of old, low-mass clusters, and the lack of any young super-star clusters of the sort often formed in strong starbursts. The cluster age distribution is consistent with a bursting mode of cluster formation, with active episodes of age ~10 Myr, ~100 Myr, and {\ga}1 Gyr. The ranges of age and mass we probe are consistent with those of the star clusters found in quiescent Local Group dwarf galaxies.
Based on observations with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under NASA contract no. NAS5-26555.- Publication:
-
The Astronomical Journal
- Pub Date:
- January 2008
- DOI:
- 10.1088/0004-6256/135/1/120
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0710.3614
- Bibcode:
- 2008AJ....135..120E
- Keywords:
-
- galaxies: individual: NGC 1311;
- galaxies: spiral;
- galaxies: star clusters;
- infrared: galaxies;
- ultraviolet: galaxies;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 21 pages, 11 figures, accepted by AJ