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arXiv · 2610.37774

Not so dead after all: young stars in the massive S0 NGC 3115

João P. V. Benedetti·Alexandre Vazdekis·Anna Ferré-Mateu·Elham Eftekhari·Alberto Rodríguez-Ardila·Rogério Riffel
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Abstract

Context: Massive early-type galaxies (ETGs) are traditionally considered "red-and-dead" based on optical observations. However, ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy can uncover a hidden population of young stars with a sub-one-per cent mass fraction. Aims: We measure the young stellar mass fraction in NGC 3115, a massive isolated lenticular galaxy, to test the ubiquity and spatial distribution of this component beyond previously studied ellipticals. Methods: Using SOAR/Goodman spectra and line-strength fitting, we modelled the star-formation history with a single bulk stellar population plus a young component (constant star-formation over the last 1 Gyr). We used ultranest to derive posterior distributions for age, metallicity, [Mg/Fe], and the young stellar mass fraction. Results: By tracking spatial variations in U-band indices, we found the young stellar mass fraction peaks at $0.69^{+0.09}_{-0.15}\%$ in the centre, dropping to zero beyond 1 kpc. This young component correlates with kinematic structures, dominating in the pressure-supported region. We interpret this as residual central star formation fueled by internal processes, such as recycled stellar material. Alternative UV-bright models (e.g., extreme horizontal branch stars) yielded poorer fits and unphysically high mass fractions. Conclusions: Young stars in old, "red-and-dead" galaxies are more common than expected. Their presence across various ETGs with similar gradients indicates that residual star formation is a ubiquitous feature, offering key constraints on the baryon cycle in these galaxies.

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João P. V. Benedetti, Alexandre Vazdekis, Anna Ferré-Mateu, Elham Eftekhari, Alberto Rodríguez-Ardila, Rogério Riffel. 2026-10-27. Not so dead after all: young stars in the massive S0 NGC 3115. https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.37774

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