Name: Linda Smith

Institution: Space Telescope Science Institute

e-mail: lsmith(no-spam)stsci.edu

Partner Contry: USA

Science Meeting: Yes

User Meeting: Yes

NGO Staff Meeting: No

Presentation: Yes

Format: Oral

Title: The Starburst History of M82

Co-author: I. Konstantopoulos, N. Bastian, M.S. Westmoquette, G. Trancho, J.S. Gallagher

Co-authors' Institutions: University College London, Gemini Observatory, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Abstract:

M82 is host to a major nuclear starburst. Large numbers of massive star clusters are present in the central region and distributed across the disk. We present Gemini MOS spectroscopy for 40 of these clusters. By deriving cluster ages, we are able to chart the starburst history of M82 since its last encounter with M81 some 500 Myr ago. We find that clusters in the so-called ?fossil starburst? region B have ages of less than 300 Myr, much lower than previously thought. Overall, the data reveal that M82 has been active in forming significant numbers of clusters across its disk over the last 50-300 Myr.