The infrared massive stellar content of M 83

Abstract

Aims: We present an analysis of archival Spitzer images and new ground-based and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) near-infrared (IR) and optical images of the field of M 83 with the goal of identifying rare, dusty, evolved massive stars.
Methods: We present point source catalogs consisting of 3778 objects from Spitzer Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) Band 1 (3.6 μm) and Band 2 (4.5 μm), and 975 objects identified in Magellan 6.5 m FourStar near-IR J and K_s images. A combined catalog of coordinate matched near- and mid-IR point sources yields 221 objects in the field of M 83.
Results: We find 49 strong candidates for massive stars which are very promising objects for spectroscopic follow-up. Based on their location in a B - V versus V - I diagram, we expect at least 24, or roughly 50%, to be confirmed as red supergiants.

This paper includes data gathered with the 6.5 m Magellan Telescopes located at Las Campanas Observatory, Chile.Based on observations with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under NASA contract NAS5-26555.Figures 12-23 are available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.orgFull Tables 1 and 3 are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (ftp://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/578/A100