TL;DR
This study combines multi-wavelength observations to analyze the star formation history and kinematics of M83's central region, revealing an age gradient in clusters and refuting previous claims of a hidden mass concentration.
Contribution
It provides the first evidence of an age gradient in M83's central star clusters and clarifies the kinematic structure, challenging earlier hypotheses about hidden mass.
Findings
Age gradient in star clusters along the star-forming arc
No evidence of a second hidden mass concentration
Detection of molecular gas velocity changes indicating shocks
Abstract
We combine VLT/ISAAC NIR spectroscopy with archival HST/WFPC2 and HST/NICMOS imaging to study the central 20"x20" of M83. Our NIR indices for clusters in the circumnuclear star-burst region are inconsistent with simple instantaneous burst models. However, models of a single burst dispersed over a duration of 6 Myrs fit the data well and provide the clearest evidence yet of an age gradient along the star forming arc, with the youngest clusters nearest the north-east dust lane. The long slit kinematics show no evidence to support previous claims of a second hidden mass concentration, although we do observe changes in molecular gas velocity consistent with the presence of a shock at the edge of the dust lane.
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