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arXiv · astro-ph/0002066

HST Images of Stephan's Quintet: Star Cluster Candidates in a Compact Group Environment

Abstract

We present HST WFPC2 images of Stephan's Quintet which encompass three interacting galaxies and their associated tidal features. These deep, three-color (B, V, I) images indicate recent, massive stellar system formation in various regions within the compact group environment. We have identified star cluster candidates (SCC) both within the interacting galaxies and in the tidal debris. We compare the SCC colors with stellar population synthesis models in order to constrain cluster ages, and compare the pattern of formation of SCC in different regions to the inferred dynamical history of the group.

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S. C. Gallagher, S. D. Hunsberger, J. C. Charlton, D. Zaritsky. 2000-02-03. HST Images of Stephan's Quintet: Star Cluster Candidates in a Compact Group Environment. https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0002066

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