We propose 5 GHz High Sensitivity Array (HSA) observations of three dwarf galaxies within 10 Mpc; these three
galaxies contain very strong thermal radio emission from super star clusters (SSCs), and are thought to have extreme
starbursts with ages less than about 5 Myr. Although the SSCs apparently are quite young, the high optical extinction
makes it di’cult to determine their exact ages. We propose to search for young radio supernovae and supernova
remnants similar to those detected in the much more distant mergers Arp 220 and Arp 299. The primary goals of
this search are to determine or constrain the age range of SSC star formation, measure the supernova luminosities,
determine whether multiple supernovae or supernova remnants can be detected in individual SSCs, and determine
whether multiple SSCs host supernovae simultaneously. |