Issue |
Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser.
Volume 145, Number 3, September 2000
|
|
---|---|---|
Page(s) | 377 - 397 | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/aas:2000355 | |
Published online | 15 September 2000 |
Mapping the star formation history of Mrk 86*
I. Data and models
1
Departamento de Astrofísica, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
2
OTRI, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, C/ Butarque, 15, E-28911 Leganés, Spain e-mail: gil@astrax.fis.ucm.es (AGdP)
Received:
23
November
1999
Accepted:
8
June
2000
We have obtained optical (BVR, [OIII]λ5007 Å and
Hα), near infrared (JHK) imaging and long-slit optical
spectroscopy for the Blue Compact Dwarf galaxy Mrk 86
(NGC 2537). In this paper, the first of two, we present
optical-near-infrared colors and emission-line fluxes for the
currently star-forming regions, intermediate aged starburst and
underlying stellar population. We also describe the evolutionary
synthesis models used in Paper II.
The R and Hα luminosity distributions of the galaxy
star-forming regions show maxima at and
. The underlying
stellar population shows an exponential surface brigthness profile
with central value,
, and
scale,
kpc, both measured in the R-band image. In the
galaxy outer regions, dominated by this component, no significant
color gradients are observed.
Finally, a complete set of evolutionary synthesis models have been
developed, covering a wide range in metallicity,
, and burst strength,
1-10-4. These models include nebular continuum and recombination
and forbidden-line emission.
Key words: individual: Mrk 86 / galaxies: irregular, star clusters, stellar content
© European Southern Observatory (ESO), 2000