Abstract
We have obtained a Hubble Space Telescope ultraviolet image and spectrum of the nearby Wolf-Rayet galaxy NGC 1741. The spatial morphology from the Faint Object Camera image is dominated by two main starburst centers, each being about 100 times as luminous as 30 Doradus. Both starburst centers are composed of several intense knots of recent star formation. A Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph spectrum of a portion of the southern starburst center is consistent with a population of young stars following a Salpeter IMF for masses above ~15 M☉ (lower mass stars may also be present) and extending up to ~100 M☉; about 104 O-type stars are inferred from the UV luminosity.
Numerous strong interstellar lines are detected. Although not resolved, their strength suggests that they are formed in individual bubbles and shells with velocities up to a few hundred km s-1. The red wing of the Lyα absorption profile indicates the presence of several neutral hydrogen components, one in our own Galaxy and the others at or close to the distance of NGC 1741. Overall, the stellar and interstellar line spectrum, as well as the continuum shape of NGC 1741, strongly resembles star-forming galaxies recently discovered at high redshift.
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Based on observations with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by AURA for NASA under contract NAS5-26555.