Circumnuclear Star Formation in M100

Ryder, Stuart D.; Knapen, Johan H.
Referencia bibliográfica

Astrophysics and Space Science, v. 276, Issue 2/4, p. 405-412 (2001).

Fecha de publicación:
3
2001
Número de autores
2
Número de autores del IAC
0
Número de citas
1
Número de citas referidas
1
Descripción
Near-infrared (JHK) images of the nucleus of the barred spiral galaxy M100 (NGC 4321) have been obtained using a high-bandwidth tip-tilt secondary and fast guider system on the 3.8 m United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT). The resulting images, with a resolution of 0.34'' at K, reveal for the first time a host of compact `knots', which appear to be the result of a recent burst (or bursts) of star formation. Confirmation of this comes from K-band spectroscopy of these knots with CGS4 on UKIRT, which shows Brγ emission and CO absorption features. A comparison with starburst evolutionary models suggests ages for these knots of between 17 and 27 Myr, and a stellar population dominated by late-type supergiants.