Abstract
AbstractWe have measured the dynamical mass of the highly luminous star cluster W3 in the young merger remnant galaxy NGC 7252. The value is Mdyn = (8 ± 2) × 107M⊙, and represents the highest dynamically-confirmed mass for an extra-galactic star cluster so far. The dynamical mass is in excellent agreement with the luminous mass (Maraston et al. 2001). This results from the use of stellar population models that include correctly the brightest AGB stellar phase, dominant in young stellar populations. To classify W3, we employ the fundamental plane of stellar systems (Bender, Burstein & Faber 1992), for the first time in these kinds of studies. We find that W3 lies far from typical Milky Way globular clusters, but it is also far from the heavyweights ωCen in the Milky Way and G1 in M31, because it is too extended for its mass, and from dwarf elliptical galaxies because it is much more compact for its mass. Instead W3 lies close to the ultra-compact Fornax objects (Drinkwater et al. 2003) and to the compact elliptical M32, possibly shedding light on the still mysterious nature of these objects. A previously deserted region of the fundamental plane starts to be populated.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
