Spitzer Space Telescope - Archive Research Proposal #40568


Star Clusters in M31: Stellar Populations and Mass Loss

Principal Investigator: Jean  Brodie
           Institution: University of California, Santa Cruz

     Technical Contact: Jean  Brodie, University of California, Santa Cruz

Co-Investigators: 
Jay Strader, University of California, Santa Cruz                     
Jacco van Loon, Keele University                                      

Science Category: local group galaxies 
Dollars Approved: 48294 

Abstract:
We propose an imaging study of massive star clusters in M31 using archival
Spitzer imaging with IRAC and MIPS. We have two distinct goals: (1) Estimate
cluster ages, metallicities, and reddenings through panchromatic FUV to mid-IR
imaging, and (2) Assess the production rate and lifetime of dust in the
intracluster medium (ICM) as a function of cluster properties. Our results will
give important constraints on the star formation history of M31 and on mass loss
in stellar clusters.