JWST View of the Supernebula in NGC 5253. I. Overview and Continuum Features

TL;DR

This study uses JWST imaging spectroscopy to analyze the supernebula in NGC 5253, revealing continuum features, dust emission, and PAH signatures, providing insights into star formation in a dwarf galaxy's HII region.

Contribution

First detailed mid-infrared spectral overview of the supernebula in NGC 5253 using JWST, identifying continuum sources and dust features.

Findings

Four hot dust continuum sources identified as HII regions.

The supernebula's MIR to radio flux ratio matches Galactic HII regions.

At least 25% of ionizing photons escape the supernebula core despite high extinction.

Abstract

We present imaging spectroscopy of the "supernebula" in the nearby dwarf galaxy NGC 5253 with the MIRI-MRS integral field spectrometer of the JWST. NGC 5253 is host to an luminous ($L\sim 10^9~\rm L_\odot$) HII region, powered by a giant young star cluster, a possible local analogue to super star cluster formation at Cosmic Dawn and Noon. In this paper, the first in a series about the mid-infrared line and continuum emission in the center of NGC 5253, we present an overview and continuum spectra. The mid-infrared images reveal four sources of continuum emission from hot dust that we identify as luminous HII regions, which are used to define spectral apertures. The dominant continuum source is the pc-scale supernebula core seen at radio wavelengths. We find that the MIR to radio continuum flux ratio for all regions is identical to that of Galactic HII regions. The 9.7 silicate feature is present and strongest in absorption toward the supernebula. Silicate emission is seen in another HII region. PAH features are present, although weak, particularly in the supernebula; the strongest emission is in an HII region only 15 pc from the supernebula core. PAH features at 6.2$\mu$m and 11.3$\mu$m are detected in all sources. Comparison of the luminosity implied by the ionization to the observed infrared luminosity suggest that at least 25% ofthe photons are escaping the embedded supernebula core, in spite of its high, $A_V\gtrsim 15$, extinction.