Young star clusters in M31

TL;DR

This study presents spectroscopic analysis of 85 young star clusters in M31, revealing their association with the galaxy's young disk and similarities to LMC clusters, providing insights into M31's cluster system.

Contribution

First high-quality spectroscopic survey of young clusters in M31, confirming their disk membership and similarity to LMC clusters.

Findings

Young clusters are part of M31's young disk.

Clusters have masses and structures akin to LMC's young populous clusters.

Spectroscopic data supports disk membership of these clusters.

Abstract

In our study of M31's globular cluster system with MMT/Hectospec, we have obtained high-quality spectra of 85 clusters with ages less than 1 Gyr. With the exception of Hubble V, the young cluster in NGC 205, we find that these young clusters have kinematics and spatial distribution consistent with membership in M31's young disk. Preliminary estimates of the cluster masses and structural parameters, using spectroscopically derived ages and HST imaging, confirms earlier suggestions that M31 has clusters similar to the LMC's young populous clusters.