Winds from super star clusters: The interstellar environment in the starburst core of M82

Abstract

We present HST/STIS spectroscopy for two slit positions crossing the starburst core of M82, sampling both clusters and ionized gas at optical wavelengths. The spectra have a spatial resolution of ∼2 pc at M82, allowing us to probe the conditions within the starburst environment in unprecedented detail. The data provide new insights into young clusters and their immediate environments. One of our slits is coincident with an isolated cluster in Region A, which we designate M82-A1. We find it has an age of 6-7 Myr and is still embedded in a very compact H II region. We also chart the ionized gas characteristics across the starburst core and find evidence of the effects of the hot cluster winds on the ambient gas.