Analysis of HST CMDs of 15 intermediate-age LMC clusters: self-consistent physical parameters and 3D distribution

Abstract

We analysed HST/WFPC2 colour-magnitude diagrams (CMDs) from 15 populous Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) stellar clusters with ages between ∼0.3 Gyr and ∼3 Gyr. These (V, B-V) CMDs are photometrically homogeneous and reach typically V ∼22. Accurate and selfconsistent physical parameters (age, metallicity, distance modulus and reddening) were extracted for each cluster by comparing the observed CMDs with synthetic ones. These determinations were made by means of simultaneous statistical comparison of MS fiducial lines and red clump position, offering objective and robust criteria to determine the best models. In general, the best models show a satisfactory fit to the data, adequately constraining the physical parameters of each cluster. The inferred spatial distribution of these clusters is roughly aligned with the LMC disk. The set of ages and metallicities homogeneously derived here can be used to calibrate integrated light studies applied to distant galaxies.