HST Photometry of M82 region B

By comparing UBVI photometry with models, we derive ages and extinctions for 35 U-band-selected star clusters. We find that the peak epoch of cluster formation occurred ~150Myr ago, in contrast to earlier work that found a peak formation age of 1.1Gyr.

The difference is most likely due to our inclusion of U-band data, which are essential for accurate age determinations of young cluster populations. We further show that the previously reported turnover in the cluster luminosity function is probably due to the neglect of the effect of extended sources on the detection limit. The much younger cluster ages we derive clarifies the evolution of the M82 starburst.