Objects in NGC 205 Resolved into Stellar Associationsby [ITAL]Hubble Space Telescope[/ITAL] Ultraviolet Imaging

Abstract

We have obtained high-resolution UV images with the Hubble Space Telescope/Wide-Field Planetary Camera 2 of the central region of the dwarf elliptical galaxy NGC 205. Our images reveal that many of the hot UV stars previously detected and studied from the ground are actually multiple systems, open clusters, and star associations. We have performed photometry of two such clusters, and we find that our data are consistent with stellar ages of 50 and 100 Myr, respectively. From the number of massive stars in NGC 205, we estimate that the star formation episode in this galaxy has turned ~1000 M_☉ of gas into stars over the last 100 Myr.