The Central Region of M83
Abstract
We combine VLT/ISAAC NIR spectroscopy with archival HST/WFPC2 and HST/NICMOS imaging to study the central 20"x20" of M83. Our NIR indices for clusters in the circumnuclear star-burst region are inconsistent with simple instantaneous burst models. However, models of a single burst dispersed over a duration of 6 Myrs fit the data well and provide the clearest evidence yet of an age gradient along the star forming arc, with the youngest clusters nearest the north-east dust lane. The long slit kinematics show no evidence to support previous claims of a second hidden mass concentration, although we do observe changes in molecular gas velocity consistent with the presence of a shock at the edge of the dust lane.
Cite
@article{arxiv.0801.1213,
title = {The Central Region of M83},
author = {R. C. W. Houghton and N. Thatte},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0801.1213},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 24 pages, 11 figures