Deep hubble space telescope observations of blue star clusters in NGC 3597

  • Matthew N. Carlson
  • , Jon A. Holtzman
  • , Carl J. Grillmair
  • , Jeremy R. Mould
  • , Richard E. Griffiths
  • , Gilda E. Ballester
  • , Christopher J. Burrows
  • , John T. Clarke
  • , David Crisp
  • , Robin W. Evans
  • , John S. Gallagher
  • , J. Jeff Hester
  • , John G. Hoessel
  • , Paul A. Scowen
  • , Karl R. Stapelfeldt
  • , John T. Trauger
  • , Alan M. Watson
  • , James A. Westphal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have analyzed HST/WFPC2 images of NGC 3597 and find ≃700 compact objects surrounding the galaxy with an average (B-R)o ≃ 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 population of young clusters with a common age and spread induced by photometric errors and reddening within NGC 3597. If these objects were similar to the Galactic globular cluster system seen at a younger age, we would predict a turnover in the luminosity function at B ≃ 23. However, we find that the luminosity function for the clusters is increasing to the limits of our photometry (B ≃ 27).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1700-1707
Number of pages8
JournalAstronomical Journal
Volume117
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Galaxies: star clusters

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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