Subjects: Astronomy >> Astrophysical processes submitted time 2023-02-19
Jimena Rodriguez
Janice Lee
Bradley Whitmore
David Thilker
Daniel Maschmann
Rupali Chandar
Daniel Dale
Diederik Kruijssen
Mederic Boquien
Kathryn Grasha
Elizabeth Watkins
Ashley Barnes
Mattia Sormani
Thomas Williams
Jaeyeon Kim
Gagandeep Anand
Mélanie Chevance
Frank Bigiel
Adam Leroy
Ralf Klessen
Abstract： The earliest stages of star formation occur enshrouded in dust and are not observable in the optical. Here we leverage the extraordinary new high-resolution infrared imaging from JWST to begin the study of dust-embedded star clusters in nearby galaxies throughout the local volume. We present a technique for identifying dust-embedded clusters in NGC 7496 (18.7 Mpc), the first galaxy to be observed by the PHANGS-JWST Cycle 1 Treasury Survey. We select sources that have strong 3.3$\mu$m PAH emission based on a $\rm F300M-F335M$ color excess, and identify 67 candidate embedded clusters. Only eight of these are found in the PHANGS-HST optically-selected cluster catalog and all are young (six have SED-fit ages of $\sim1$ Myr). We find that this sample of embedded cluster candidates may significantly increase the census of young clusters in NGC 7496 from the PHANGS-HST catalog -- the number of clusters younger than $\sim$2 Myr could be increased by a factor of two. Candidates are preferentially located in dust lanes, and are coincident with peaks in PHANGS-ALMA CO (2-1) maps. We take a first look at concentration indices, luminosity functions, SEDs spanning from 2700A to 21$\mu$m, and stellar masses (estimated to be between $\sim10^4-10^5 M_{\odot}$). The methods tested here provide a basis for future work to derive accurate constraints on the physical properties of embedded clusters, characterize the completeness of cluster samples, and expand analysis to all 19 galaxies in the PHANGS-JWST sample, which will enable basic unsolved problems in star formation and cluster evolution to be addressed.
Peer Review Status:
Awaiting Review
Subjects: Astronomy >> Astrophysical processes submitted time 2023-02-19
Ness Mayker Chen
Michael A. Tucker
Nils Hoyer
Saurabh W. Jha
Lindsey Kwok
Adam K. Leroy
Erik Rosolowsky
Chris Ashall
Gagandeep Anand
Frank Bigiel
Médéric Boquien
Chris Burns
Daniel Dale
James M. DerKacy
Oleg V. Egorov
L. Galbany
Kathryn Grasha
Hamid Hassani
Peter Hoeflich
Eric Hsiao
Abstract： We present new 0.3-21 micron photometry of SN 2021aefx in the spiral galaxy NGC 1566 at +357 days after B-band maximum, including the first detection of any SN Ia at >15 micron. These observations follow earlier JWST observations of SN 2021aefx at +255 days after the time of maximum brightness, allowing us to probe the temporal evolution of the emission properties. We measure the fraction of flux emerging at different wavelengths and its temporal evolution. Additionally, the integrated 0.3-14 micron decay rate of $\Delta m_{0.3-14} = 1.35 \pm 0.05$ mag/100 days is higher than the decline rate from the radioactive decay of $^{56}$Co of $\sim 1.2$mag/100 days. The most plausible explanation for this discrepancy is that flux is shifting to >14 micron, and future JWST observations of SNe Ia will be able to directly test this hypothesis. However, models predicting non-radiative energy loss cannot be excluded with the present data.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
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