Deep [ITAL]Hubble Space Telescope[/ITAL] Observations of Blue Star Clusters in NGC 3597

Abstract

We have analyzed HST/WFPC2 images of NGC 3597 and find ≃700 compact objects surrounding the galaxy with an average (B-R) o ≃ 0.6. We propose that the majority of these objects are young globular clusters. They have a spread in colors that is consistent with that expected for a population of young clusters with a common age and spread induced by photometric errors and reddening within NGC 3597. If these objects were similar to the Galactic globular cluster system seen at a younger age, we would predict a turnover in the luminosity function at B ≃ 23. However, we find that the luminosity function for the clusters is increasing to the limits of our photometry (B ≃ 27).