Deep Hubble Space Telescope observations of blue star clusters in NGC 3597

Citation
Mn. Carlson et al., Deep Hubble Space Telescope observations of blue star clusters in NGC 3597, ASTRONOM J, 117(4), 1999, pp. 1700-1707
Citations number
21
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Space Sciences
Journal title
ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL
ISSN journal
0004-6256 → ACNP
Volume
117
Issue
4
Year of publication
1999
Pages
1700 - 1707
Database
ISI
SICI code
0004-6256(199904)117:4<1700:DHSTOO>2.0.ZU;2-H
Abstract
We have analyzed HST/WFPC2 images of NGC 3597 and find similar to 700 compa ct objects surrounding the galaxy with an average (B-R)(o) similar to 0.6. We propose that the majority of these objects are young globular clusters. They have a spread in colors that is consistent with that expected for a po pulation of young clusters with a common age and spread induced by photomet ric errors and reddening within NGC 3597. If these objects were similar to the Galactic globular cluster system seen at a younger age, we would predic t a turnover in the luminosity function at B similar to 23. However, we fin d that the luminosity function for the clusters is increasing to the limits of our photometry (B similar to 27).