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ULTRAVIOLET SPECTROSCOPY OF CIRCUMNUCLEAR STAR CLUSTERS IN M83

Journal Article · · Astrophysical Journal
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Space Telescope Science Institute, 3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218 (United States)
  2. University of Toledo, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Toledo, OH 43606 (United States)
We analyze archival HST/STIS/FUV-MAMA imaging and spectroscopy of 13 compact star clusters within the circumnuclear starburst region of M83, the closest such example. We compare the observed spectra with semi-empirical models, which are based on an empirical library of Galactic O and B stars observed with IUE, and with theoretical models, which are based on a new theoretical UV library of hot massive stars computed with WM-Basic. The models were generated with Starburst99 for metallicities of Z = 0.020 and Z = 0.040, and for stellar initial mass functions (IMFs) with upper mass limits of 10, 30, 50, and 100 M{sub sun}. We estimate the ages and masses of the clusters from the best-fit model spectra and find that the ages derived from the semi-empirical and theoretical models agree within a factor of 1.2 on average. A comparison of the spectroscopic age estimates with values derived from HST/WFC3/UVIS multi-band photometry shows a similar level of agreement for all but one cluster. The clusters have a range of ages from about 3 to 20 Myr and do not appear to have an age gradient along M83's starburst. Clusters with strong P-Cygni profiles have masses of a fewx10{sup 4} M{sub sun}, seem to have formed stars more massive than 30 M{sub sun}, and are consistent with a Kroupa IMF from 0.1to100 M{sub sun}. Field regions in the starburst lack P-Cygni profiles and are dominated by B stars.
OSTI ID:
21567540
Journal Information:
Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 727; ISSN ASJOAB; ISSN 0004-637X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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