SDSS J103913.70+533029.7: A Super Star Cluster in the Outskirts of a Galaxy Merger

Authors :: Gillian R. Knapp
Christy A. Tremonti
Constance M. Rockosi
David J. Schlegel
Brian Yanny
Timothy C. Beers
Carlos Allende Prieto
Ron Wilhelm
Robert H. Lupton
James E. Gunn
Martin Niederste-Ostholt
Donald P. Schneider
Kevin Covey
Anil Seth
Željko Ivezić
Daniel J. Eisenstein
Joe Helmboldt
Douglas P. Finkbeiner
Nikhil Padmanabhan
Scot J. Kleinman
Dan Long
Stephanie A. Snedden
Atsuko Nitta
Michael Harvanek
Jurek Krzesinski
Howard J. Brewington
John C. Barentine
Peter R. Newman
Eric H. Nielsen, Jr.
Masataka Fukugita
J. Brinkmann
Source :: The Astronomical Journal. 131:859-865
Publication Year :: 2006
Publisher :: American Astronomical Society, 2006.
Abstract: We describe the serendipitous discovery in the spectroscopic data of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey of a star-like object, SDSSJ103913.70+533029.7, at a heliocentric radial velocity of +1012 km/s. Its proximity in position and velocity to the spiral galaxy NGC 3310 suggests an association with the galaxy. At this distance, SDSSJ103913.70+533029.7 has the luminosity of a super star cluster and a projected distance of 17 kpc from NGC 3310. Its spectroscopic and photometric properties imply a mass of > 10^6 solar masses and an age close to that of the tidal shells seen around NGC 3310, suggesting that it formed in the event which formed the shells.<br />Accepted by AJ: 4 figures (1 color)

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