Astronomy and astrophysics

The Starburst History of M82

by Linda Smith (Space Telescope Science Institute)

Europe/Stockholm
FA31

FA31

Description
The M81 group of galaxies provides an excellent laboratory for studying galaxy-galaxy interactions and the ensuing violent episodes of star formation. The starburst galaxy M82 is believed to have suffered a close encounter with M81 some 250 Myr ago which triggered the current nuclear starburst. I will discuss the starburst history of M82 as revealed by HST imaging and spectroscopy of the massive star cluster population.