Stellar Complexes Research Articles

The Sunburst Arc with JWST

We report the detection of a population of Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars in the Sunburst Arc, a strongly gravitationally lensed galaxy at redshift z = 2.37. As the brightest known lensed galaxy, the Sunburst Arc has become an important cosmic laboratory for studying star and cluster formation, Lyman α (Lyα) radiative transfer, and Lyman continuum (LyC) escape. Here, we present the first results of JWST/NIRSpec IFU observations of the Sunburst Arc, focusing on a stacked spectrum of the 12-fold imaged Sunburst LyC-emitting (LCE) cluster. In agreement with previous studies, we find that the Sunburst LCE cluster is a very massive, compact star cluster with Mdyn = (9 ± 1)×106 M⊙. Our age estimate of 4.2–4.5 Myr is much larger than the crossing time of tcross = 183 ± 9 kyr, indicating that the cluster is dynamically evolved and consistent with it being gravitationally bound. We find a significant nitrogen enhancement of the low ionization state interstellar medium (ISM), with log(N/O) = − 0.74 ± 0.09, which is ≈0.8 dex above typical values for H II regions of a similar metallicity in the local Universe. We find broad stellar emission complexes around He IIλ4686 and C IVλ5808 with associated nitrogen emission; this is the first time WR signatures have been directly observed at redshifts above ∼0.5. The strength of the WR signatures cannot be reproduced by stellar population models that only include single-star evolution. While models with binary evolution better match the WR features, they still struggle to reproduce the nitrogen-enhanced WR features. JWST reveals the Sunburst LCE cluster to be a highly ionized proto-globular cluster with low oxygen abundance and extreme nitrogen enhancement that hosts a population of WR stars, likely including a previously suggested population of very massive stars (VMSs), which together are rapidly enriching the surrounding medium.

The Emerging Stellar Complex in Mon R2: Membership and Optical Variability Classification

Monoceros R2 (Mon R2) is one of the closest large active star-forming regions. This extremely young and partially embedded region provides an excellent laboratory for studying star formation and the early evolution of young stellar objects (YSOs). In this paper, we conduct an optical study of the greater Mon R2 region. Beginning with 1690 previously identified candidate YSOs, we used 496 sources with good proper motions and parallaxes from Gaia Data Release (DR) 3 to determine the astrometric properties for likely members of Mon R2. We then used both astrometric and photometric (isochronal and variability) criteria to determine that 308 of these stars are highly probable members. Using the same criteria, we considered a broad area search around Mon R2 in Gaia DR3 and separated candidate members from field stars. In total, we selected 651 likely new cluster members that had been missed in the previous X-ray and infrared excess selection techniques used in the past to establish cluster membership. Revised astrometric properties of the cluster were found using the combined sample of ∼959 highly probable member stars. For the literature plus the new candidate member list, optical light curves were compiled from the Zwicky Transient Facility. For 470 identified variable sources, we attempted classification based on the flux asymmetry (M) and quasiperiodicity (Q) metrics. We find that Mon R2 is dominated by quasiperiodic symmetric variables, with aperiodic sources also a significant population. A few tens of large-amplitude variables are identified that may be of interest for further study.

An extremely metal-poor star complex in the reionization era: Approaching Population III stars with JWST

We present JWST/Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) integral field spectroscopy (IFS) of a lensed Population III candidate stellar complex (dubbed Lensed And Pristine 1, LAP1), with a lensing-corrected stellar mass of ≲104 M⊙ and an absolute luminosity of MUV > −11.2 (mUV > 35.6), confirmed at redshift 6.639 ± 0.004. The system is strongly amplified (μ ≳ 100) by straddling a critical line of the Hubble Frontier Field galaxy cluster MACS J0416. Although the stellar continuum is currently not detected in the Hubble and JWST/Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) imaging, arclet-like shapes of Lyman and Balmer lines, Lyα, Hγ, Hβ and Hα are detected with NIRSpec IFS with signal-to-noise ratios (S/N) of approximately 5 − 13 and large equivalent widths (> 300 − 2000 Å), along with a remarkably weak [O III]λλ4959, 5007 at S/N ≃ 4. LAP1 shows a large ionizing photon production efficiency, log(ξion[erg Hz−1]) > 26. From the metallicity indexes R23 = ([O III] + [O II])/Hβ ≲ 0.74 and R3 = ([O III]/Hβ) = 0.55 ± 0.14, we derive an oxygen abundance of 12 + log(O/H)≲6.3. Intriguingly, the Hα emission is also measured in mirrored subcomponents where no [O III] is detected, providing even more stringent upper limits on the metallicity if in situ star formation is ongoing in this region (12 + log(O/H) < 6). The formal stellar mass limit of the subcomponents would correspond to ∼103 M⊙ or MUV fainter than −10. Alternatively, this metal-free, pure line-emitting region could be the first case of a fluorescing H I gas region induced by transverse escaping ionizing radiation from a nearby star complex. The presence of large equivalent-width hydrogen lines and the deficiency of metal lines in such a small region make LAP1 the most metal-poor star-forming region currently known in the reionization era and a promising site that may host isolated, pristine stars.

JWST Reveals a Possible z ∼ 11 Galaxy Merger in Triply Lensed MACS0647–JD

MACS0647–JD is a triply lensed z ∼ 11 galaxy originally discovered with the Hubble Space Telescope. The three lensed images are magnified by factors of ∼8, 5, and 2 to AB mag 25.1, 25.6, and 26.6 at 3.5 μm. The brightest is over a magnitude brighter than other galaxies recently discovered at similar redshifts z > 10 with JWST. Here, we report new JWST imaging that clearly resolves MACS0647–JD as having two components that are either merging galaxies or stellar complexes within a single galaxy. The brighter larger component “A” is intrinsically very blue (β ∼ −2.6 ± 0.1), likely due to very recent star formation and no dust, and is spatially extended with an effective radius ∼70 ± 24 pc. The smaller component “B” (r ∼ 20 −5+8 pc) appears redder (β ∼ −2 ± 0.2), likely because it is older (100–200 Myr) with mild dust extinction (A V ∼ 0.1 mag). With an estimated stellar mass ratio of roughly 2:1 and physical projected separation ∼400 pc, we may be witnessing a galaxy merger 430 million years after the Big Bang. We identify galaxies with similar colors in a high-redshift simulation, finding their star formation histories to be dissimilar, which is also suggested by the spectral energy distribution fitting, suggesting they formed further apart. We also identify a candidate companion galaxy “C” ∼3 kpc away, likely destined to merge with A and B. Upcoming JWST Near Infrared Spectrograph observations planned for 2023 January will deliver spectroscopic redshifts and more physical properties for these tiny magnified distant galaxies observed in the early universe.

Hubble Space Telescope Observations of Tadpole Galaxies Kiso3867, SBS0, SBS1, and UM461

Tadpole galaxies are metal-poor dwarfs with typically one dominant star-forming region, giving them a head–tail structure when inclined. A metallicity drop in the head suggests that gas accretion with even lower metallicity stimulated the star formation. Here we present multiband Hubble Space Telescope WFC3 and Advanced Camera for Surveys images of four nearby (<25 Mpc) tadpoles, SBS0, SBS1, Kiso3867, and UM461, selected for their clear metallicity drops shown in previous spectroscopic studies. The properties of the star complexes and compact clusters are measured. Each galaxy contains from three to 10 young stellar complexes with 103–105 M ⊙ of stars ∼3–10 Myr old. Between the complexes, the disk has a typical age of ∼3 Gyr. Numerous star clusters cover the galaxies, both inside and outside the complexes. The combined cluster mass function, made by normalizing the masses and counts before stacking, is a power law with a slope of −1.12 ± 0.14 on a log–log plot and the combined distribution function of cluster lifetime decays with age as t −0.65±0.24. A comparison between the summed theoretical Lyman continuum (LyC) emission from all the clusters, given their masses and ages, is comparable to or exceeds the LyC needed to excite the observed Hα in some galaxies, suggesting LyC absorption by dust or undetected gas in the halo, or perhaps galaxy escape.

Binary open clusters in the Gaia data

Context. Observations indicate that the fraction of potential binary star clusters in the Milky Way is either the same or lower than that of the Magellanic Clouds. The unprecedented precision in the parallax measurements by Gaia has allowed for the discovery of a growing number of new binary open clusters (OCs). Aims. We aim to survey the candidates of truly binary open clusters that are formed simultaneously, using information from the Gaia database. Methods. Based on the most recent catalog of open clusters, we investigated the interactions of adjacent binary open clusters in our Galaxy within separations of 50 pc. We compared their coordinates, proper motions, parallaxes, and color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs) via binary plots for all candidate pairs. The candidates of truly binary open clusters are selected on the basis of their common proper motions and consistent behaviors in the CMDs of different clusters that are limited to a separation of 50 pc. Results. About ten pairs of the selected binary open clusters appear to be the same clusters, based on evidence that almost half of the cluster members are shared. Fourteen pairs are possibly true binaries, implying that they may come from the same clouds, among which five pairs are newly discovered. In addition, two clusters, UBC 46 and UBC 192, were found to be part of the stellar complex LISCA I. Our results confirm that OCs born in groups are usually composed of young open clusters.

Exploring the physical properties of lensed star-forming clumps at 2 ≲ z ≲ 6

ABSTRACT We study the physical properties (size, stellar mass, luminosity, and star formation rate) and scaling relations for a sample of 166 star-forming clumps with redshift z ∼ 2–6.2. They are magnified by the Hubble Frontier Field galaxy cluster MACS J0416 and have robust lensing magnification (2 ≲ μ ≲ 82) computed by using our high-precision lens model, based on 182 multiple images. Our sample extends by ∼3 times the number of spectroscopically confirmed lensed clumps at z ≳ 2. We identify clumps in ultraviolet continuum images and find that, whenever the effective spatial resolution (enhanced by gravitational lensing) increases, they fragment into smaller entities, likely reflecting the hierarchically organized nature of star formation. Kpc-scale clumps, most commonly observed in field, are not found in our sample. The physical properties of our sample extend the parameter space typically probed by z ≳ 1 field observations and simulations, by populating the low mass (M⋆ ≲ 107 M⊙), low star formation rate (SFR ≲ 0.5 M⊙ yr−1), and small size (Reff ≲ 100 pc) regime. The new domain probed by our study approaches the regime of compact stellar complexes and star clusters. In the mass–size plane, our sample spans the region between galaxies and globular clusters, with a few clumps in the region populated by young star clusters and globular clusters. For the bulk of our sample, we measure star formation rates which are higher than those observed locally in compact stellar systems, indicating different conditions for star formation at high redshift than in the local Universe.

DIISC-II: Unveiling the Connections between Star Formation and Interstellar Medium in the Extended Ultraviolet Disk of NGC 3344

Abstract We present our investigation of the extended ultraviolet (XUV) disk galaxy, NGC 3344, conducted as part of Deciphering the Interplay between the Interstellar medium, Stars, and the Circumgalactic medium survey. We use surface and aperture photometry of individual young stellar complexes to study star formation and its effect on the physical properties of the interstellar medium. We measure the specific star formation rate (sSFR) and find it to increase from 10−10 yr−1 in the inner disk to &gt;10−8 yr−1 in the extended disk. This provides evidence for inside-out disk growth. If these sSFRs are maintained, the XUV disk stellar mass can double in ∼0.5 Gyr, suggesting a burst of star formation. The XUV disk will continue forming stars for a long time due to the high gas depletion times (τ dep). The stellar complexes in the XUV disk have high-ΣH I and low-ΣSFR with τ dep ∼ 10 Gyr, marking the onset of a deviation from the traditional Kennicutt–Schmidt law. We find that both far-ultraviolet (FUV) and a combination of FUV and 24 μm effectively trace star formation in the XUV disk. Hα is weaker in general and prone to stochasticities in the formation of massive stars. Investigation of the circumgalactic medium at 29.5 kpc resulted in the detection of two absorbing systems with metal-line species: the stronger absorption component is consistent with gas flows around the disk, most likely tracing inflow, while the weaker component is likely tracing corotating circumgalactic gas.

Unveiling the nature of clusters in the Cygnus region. I. The embedded cluster DB2001–22

ABSTRACT The Cygnus region harbours a vast diversity of rich stellar complexes. Hence, it is ideal for studying recently formed stellar clusters, and investigate how the feedback effect and radiation emitted by its massive stars modifies the interstellar medium giving place to induced star forming processes. This is the case of the small and poorly studied cluster DB2001-22. We focus our attention at analysing the cluster and its encompassing region, to distinguish different stellar populations and study their relationship with the surrounding environment. We gleaned literature and data bases for optical and IR photometry, astrometry provided by Gaia eDR3 and spectroscopy, and obtained new infrared Gemini spectra of three young stellar objects candidates (cYSOs). Furthermore, we detected two new massive stars: O7 V and B3 V, in the LAMOST data base, pointing out that DB2001–22 belongs to a much larger complex that involves an entire bubble structure and houses a richer massive population at a distance of 3.0 kpc. In this sense, DB2001–22 and the H ii region G82.6+0.4 are clearly related. Some observed gas and dust structures seem to have been sculpted by these massive stars. Infrared emission is compatible with a hot ionized gas mixed with warm dust surrounded by a structured photo-dissociation region (PDR) scenario. We found nine Class I and 56 Class II cYSOs, whose distribution along the PDR and the tips of pillar structures suggests that their formation may have been induced by the action of the earliest stars in the cluster on to their environment.

A multiwavelength study of star formation in 15 local star-forming galaxies

ABSTRACT We have fit the far-ultraviolet to mid-infrared spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for several nearby galaxies (&amp;lt;20 Mpc). Global, radial, and local photometric measurements are explored to better understand how SED-derived star formation histories (SFHs) and classic star formation rate tracers manifest at different scales. Surface brightness profiles and radial SED fitting provide insight into stellar population gradients in stellar discs and haloes. A double exponential SFH model is used in the SED fitting to better understand the distributions of young versus old populations throughout these galaxies. Different regions of a galaxy often have undergone very different SFHs, either in strength, rate, timing, or some combination of all these factors. An analysis of individual stellar complexes within these galaxies shows a relationship between the ages of stellar clusters and how these clusters are distributed throughout the galaxy. These star formation properties are presented alongside previously published H i observations to provide a holistic picture of a small sample of nearby star-forming galaxies. The results presented here show that there is a wide variety of star formation gradients and average stellar age distributions that can manifest in a ΛCDM universe.

Tracing Young Star-forming Clumps in the Nearby Flocculent Spiral Galaxy NGC 7793 with UVIT Imaging

Abstract Star formation in galaxies is a hierarchical process with a wide range of scales, from smaller clusters to larger stellar complexes. Here, we present an ultra-violet imaging study of the nearby flocculent spiral galaxy NGC 7793, observed using the Ultra-Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT). We find that the disk scale length estimated in Far-UV (2.64 ± 0.16 kpc) is larger than that in Near-UV (2.21 ± 0.21 Kpc) and optical (1.08 Kpc), which supports the inside-out growth scenario of the galaxy disk. The star-forming UV disk is also found to be contained within the extent of H i gas, with a column density greater than 1021 cm−2. With the spatial resolution of UVIT (1 pixel ∼ 6.8 pc), we identified 2046 young star-forming clumps in the galaxy with radii between ∼12 and 70 pc, which matches well with the size of giant molecular clouds (GMCs) detected in the galaxy. Around 61% of the regions identified in our study are younger than 20 Myr, which points to a recent enhancement in star formation across the galaxy. We also note that the youngest star-forming regions, with an age of &lt;10 Myr, distinctly trace the flocculent arms of the galaxy. The estimated mass of the clumps covers a range between 103 and 106 M ⊙. We notice a gradient in the mass distribution of identified clumps along the spiral arms. We also study the nuclear star cluster of the galaxy, finding that the stellar populations in the cluster outskirts are younger than the inner part.

First Phase Space Portrait of a Hierarchical Stellar Structure in the Milky Way

Abstract We present the first detailed observational picture of a possible ongoing massive cluster hierarchical assembly in the Galactic disk as revealed by the analysis of the stellar full phase space (3D positions and kinematics and spectro-photometric properties) of an extended area (6° diameter) surrounding the well-known h and χ Persei double stellar cluster in the Perseus Arm. Gaia-EDR3 shows that the area is populated by seven comoving clusters, three of which were previously unknown, and by an extended and quite massive (M ∼ 105 M ⊙) halo. All stars and clusters define a complex structure with evidence of possible mutual interactions in the form of intra-cluster overdensities and/or bridges. They share the same chemical abundances (half-solar metallicity) and age (t ∼ 20 Myr) within a small confidence interval and the stellar density distribution of the surrounding diffuse stellar halo resembles that of a cluster-like stellar system. The combination of these pieces of evidence suggests that stars distributed within a few degrees from h and χ Persei are part of a common, substructured stellar complex that we named LISCA I. Comparison with results obtained through direct N-body simulations suggest that LISCA I may be at an intermediate stage of an ongoing cluster assembly that can eventually evolve in a relatively massive (a few times 105 M ⊙) stellar system. We argue that such a cluster formation mechanism may be quite efficient in the Milky Way and disk-like galaxies and, as a consequence, it has a relevant impact on our understanding of cluster formation efficiency as a function of the environment and redshift.

Young Stellar Complexes in the Giant Galaxy UGC 11973

We present results of the analysis of photometric and spectroscopic observations of the young stellar complexes in the late giant spiral galaxy UGC 11973. Photometric analysis in the UBVRI bands have been carried out for the 13 largest complexes. For one of them, metallicity of the surrounding gas Z = 0.013+-0.005, the mass M = (4.6+-1.6)*10^6 Msun, and the age of the stellar complex t = (2.0+-1.1)*10^6 yr were evaluated, using spectroscopic data. It is shown that all complexes are massive (M >= 1.7*10^5 Msun) stellar groups younger than 3*10^8 yr.

Candidate Population III stellar complex at z = 6.629 in the MUSE Deep Lensed Field

ABSTRACT We discovered a strongly lensed (μ ≳ 40) Ly α emission at z = 6.629 (S/N ≃ 18) in the MUSE Deep Lensed Field (MDLF) targeting the Hubble Frontier Field (HFF) galaxy cluster MACS J0416. Dedicated lensing simulations imply that the Ly α emitting region necessarily crosses the caustic. The arc-like shape of the Ly α extends 3 arcsec on the observed plane and is the result of two merged multiple images, each one with a de-lensed Ly α luminosity L ≲ 2.8 × 1040 erg s−1 arising from a confined region (≲150 pc effective radius). A spatially unresolved Hubble Space Telescope(HST) counterpart is barely detected at S/N ≃ 2 after stacking the near-infrared bands, corresponding to an observed (intrinsic) magnitude m1500 ≳ 30.8 (≳35.0). The inferred rest-frame Ly α equivalent width is EW0 &amp;gt; 1120 Å if the IGM transmission is TIGM &amp;lt; 0.5. The low luminosities and the extremely large Ly α EW0 match the case of a Population III (Pop III) star complex made of several dozens stars (∼104 M⊙) that irradiate an H ii region crossing the caustic. While the Ly α and stellar continuum are among the faintest ever observed at this redshift, the continuum and the Ly α emissions could be affected by differential magnification, possibly biasing the EW0 estimate. The aforementioned tentative HST detection tends to favour a large EW0, making such a faint Pop III candidate a key target for the James Webb Space Telescope and Extremely Large Telescopes.

Spectacular Hubble Space Telescope Observations of the Coma Galaxy D100 and Star Formation in Its Ram Pressure–stripped Tail

Abstract We present new HST F275W, F475W, and F814W imaging of the region of the Coma cluster around D100, a spiral galaxy with a remarkably long and narrow (60 × 1.5 kpc) ram pressure–stripped gas tail. We find blue sources coincident with the Hα tail, which we identify as young stars formed in the tail. We also determine they are likely to be unbound stellar complexes with sizes of ∼50–100 pc, likely to disperse as they age. From a comparison of the colors and magnitudes of the young stellar complexes with simple stellar population models, we find ages ranging from ∼1 to 50 Myr and masses ranging from 103 to ∼105 M ⊙. We find that the overall rate and efficiency of star formation are low, ∼6.0 × 10−3 M ⊙ yr−1 and ∼6 × 10−12 yr−1, respectively. The total Hα flux of the tail would correspond to a star formation rate 7 times higher, indicating that some other mechanism for Hα excitation is dominant. From an analysis of the colors, we track the progression of outside-in star formation quenching in the main body of D100, as well as its apparent companion, S0 D99. Finally, we observe that the dust extinction in the base of the tail has an outer envelope with remarkably smooth and straight edges and linear filamentary substructure strongly suggestive of magnetic fields. These features and the small amount of tail broadening strongly suggest gas cooling restricting broadening and the influence of magnetic fields inhibiting turbulence.

Massive star cluster formation under the microscope atz = 6

We report on a superdense star-forming region with an effective radius (R_e) smaller than 13 pc identified at z=6.143 and showing a star-formation rate density \Sigma_SFR~1000 Msun/yr/kpc2 (or conservatively >300 Msun/yr/kpc2). Such a dense region is detected with S/N>40 hosted by a dwarf extending over 440 pc, dubbed D1 (Vanzella et al. 2017b). D1 is magnified by a factor 17.4+/-5.0 behind the Hubble Frontier Field galaxy cluster MACS~J0416 and elongated tangentially by a factor 13.2+/-4.0 (including the systematic errors). The lens model accurately reproduces the positions of the confirmed multiple images with a r.m.s. of 0.35", and the tangential stretch is well depicted by a giant multiply-imaged Lya arc. D1 is part of an interacting star-forming complex extending over 800 pc. The SED-fitting, the very blue ultraviolet slope (\beta ~ -2.5, F(\lambda) ~ \lambda^\beta) and the prominent Lya emission of the stellar complex imply that very young (< 10-100 Myr), moderately dust-attenuated (E(B-V)<0.15) stellar populations are present and organised in dense subcomponents. We argue that D1 (with a stellar mass of 2 x 10^7 Msun) might contain a young massive star cluster of M < 10^6 Msun and Muv~-15.6 (or m_uv=31.1), confined within a region of 13 pc, and not dissimilar from some local super star clusters (SSCs). The ultraviolet appearance of D1 is also consistent with a simulated local dwarf hosting a SSC placed at z=6 and lensed back to the observer. This compact system fits into some popular globular cluster formation scenarios. We show that future high spatial resolution imaging (e.g., E-ELT/MAORY-MICADO and VLT/MAVIS) will allow us to spatially resolve light profiles of 2-8 pc.

UVIT Imaging of WLM: Demographics of Star-forming Regions in the Nearby Dwarf Irregular Galaxy

Abstract We present a study of star-forming regions and their demographics in the nearby dwarf irregular galaxy WLM using Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) multiband observations in three filters, F148W, N245M, and N263M. We find that the UV emission is extended at least up to 1.7 kpc, with the NUV emission more extended than the FUV. We create UV color maps ((F148W − N245M) and (F148W − N263M)) to study the temperature morphology of young stellar complexes with the help of theoretical models. We identify several complexes with temperature T &gt; 17,500 K, which are likely to be OB associations present in the galaxy. These complexes show good spatial correlation with the Hα-emitting regions, H i distribution, and HST-detected hot stars. The hot star-forming regions are found to be clumpy in nature and show a hierarchical structure, with sizes in the range of 4–50 pc, with a large number with sizes &lt;10 pc. The southwestern part of the galaxy shows many hot star-forming regions, high levels of Hα emission, and low column density of H i, which altogether denote vigorous recent star formation. WLM is likely to have a large fraction of low-mass compact star-forming regions with mass M &lt; 103 M ⊙, in agreement with the size and mass of the CO clouds. We estimate the star formation rate of WLM to be ∼0.008 M ⊙ yr−1, which is similar to the average value measured for nearby dwarf irregular galaxies.

Regularly Spaced Infrared Peaks in the Dusty Spirals of Messier 100

Abstract Spitzer Space Telescope Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) images of M100 show numerous long filaments with regularly spaced clumps, suggesting the associated cloud complexes formed by large-scale gravitational instabilities in shocked and accumulated gas. Optical images give no hint of this underlying regularity. The typical spacing between near-infrared clumps is ∼410 pc, which is ∼3 times the clump diameter, consistent with the fastest growing mode in a filament of critical line density. The IRAC magnitudes and colors of several hundred clumps are measured in the most obvious 27 filaments and elsewhere. The clump colors suggest that the dust is associated with diffuse gas, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emission, and local heating from star formation. Neighboring clumps on the same filament have similar magnitudes. The existence of many clumps all along the filament lengths suggests that the ages of the filaments are uniform. The observations support a model where interstellar gas is systematically accumulated over lengths exceeding several kpc, forming spiral-like filaments that spontaneously collapse into giant clouds and stellar complexes. Optical wavelengths show primarily the irregular dust debris, H ii regions, and lingering star formation downstream from these primal formation sites.

Optical/Near-IR spatially resolved study of the H ii galaxy Tol 02★

The main goal of this study is to characterise the stellar populations in very low metallicity galaxies. We have obtained broad U, B, R, I, J, H, K, intermediate Str\"omgren y and narrow H{\alpha} and [OIII] deep images of the Wolf-Rayet, Blue Compact Dwarf, H II galaxy Tol 02. We have analysed the low surface brightness component, the stellar cluster complexes and the H II regions. The stellar populations in the galaxy have been characterised by comparing the observed broad band colours with those of single stellar population models. The main results are consistent with Tol 02 being formed by a 1.5 Gyr old disk component at the centre of which a group of 8 massive $>10^4 \, M_{\odot}$ stellar cluster clumps is located. Six of these clumps are 10 Myr old and their near infrared colours suggest that their light is dominated by Red Supergiant stars, the other two are young Wolf-Rayet cluster candidates of ages 3 and 5 Myr respectively. 12 H II regions in the star-forming region of the galaxy are also identified. These are immersed in a diffuse H{\alpha} and [OIII] emission that spreads towards the North and South covering the old stellar disk. Our spatial-temporal analysis shows that star formation is more likely stochastic and simultaneous within short time scales. The mismatch between observations and models cannot be attributed alone to a mistreat of the RSG phase and still needs to be further investigated.

Hierarchical star formation across the grand-design spiral NGC 1566

We investigate how star formation is spatially organized in the grand-design spiral NGC 1566 from deep HST photometry with the Legacy ExtraGalactic UV Survey (LEGUS). Our contour-based clustering analysis reveals 890 distinct stellar conglomerations at various levels of significance. These star-forming complexes are organized in a hierarchical fashion with the larger congregations consisting of smaller structures, which themselves fragment into even smaller and more compact stellar groupings. Their size distribution, covering a wide range in length-scales, shows a power-law as expected from scale-free processes. We explain this shape with a simple "fragmentation and enrichment" model. The hierarchical morphology of the complexes is confirmed by their mass--size relation which can be represented by a power-law with a fractional exponent, analogous to that determined for fractal molecular clouds. The surface stellar density distribution of the complexes shows a log-normal shape similar to that for supersonic non-gravitating turbulent gas. Between 50 and 65 per cent of the recently-formed stars, as well as about 90 per cent of the young star clusters, are found inside the stellar complexes, located along the spiral arms. We find an age-difference between young stars inside the complexes and those in their direct vicinity in the arms of at least 10 Myr. This timescale may relate to the minimum time for stellar evaporation, although we cannot exclude the in situ formation of stars. As expected, star formation preferentially occurs in spiral arms. Our findings reveal turbulent-driven hierarchical star formation along the arms of a grand-design galaxy.