COMPACT STAR CLUSTERS IN THE M31 DISK
- Institute of Physics, Savanoriu 231, Vilnius LT-02300 (Lithuania)
- Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Shonan Village, Hayama, Kanagawa 240-0193 (Japan)
- Vilnius University Observatory, Ciurlionio 29, Vilnius LT-03100 (Lithuania)
We have carried out a survey of compact star clusters (apparent size approx<3'') in the southwest part of the M31 galaxy, based on the high-resolution Suprime-Cam images (17.'5 x 28.'5), covering approx15% of the deprojected galaxy disk area. The UBVRI photometry of 285 cluster candidates (V approx< 20.5 mag) was performed using frames of the Local Group Galaxies Survey. The final sample, containing 238 high probability star cluster candidates (typical half-light radius r{sub h} approx 1.5 pc), was selected by specifying a lower limit of r{sub h} approx> 0.''15 (approx>0.6 pc). We derived cluster parameters based on the photometric data and multiband images by employing simple stellar population models. The clusters have a wide range of ages from approx5 Myr (young objects associated with 24 {mu}m and/or Halpha emission) to approx10 Gyr (globular cluster candidates), and possess mass in a range of 3.0 approx< log(m/m {sub sun}) approx< 4.3 peaking at m approx 4000 m {sub sun}. Typical age of these intermediate-mass clusters is in the range of 30 Myr approx< t approx< 3 Gyr, with a prominent peak at approx70 Myr. These findings suggest a rich intermediate-mass star cluster population in M31, which appears to be scarce in the Milky Way galaxy.
- OSTI ID:
- 21371825
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 703, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1088/0004-637X/703/2/1872; ISSN 0004-637X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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