PHANGS-JWST First Results: Dust embedded star clusters in NGC 7496 selected via 3.3 $\mu$m PAH emission

Understand

The earliest stages of star formation occur enshrouded in dust and are not observable in the optical.

• Here we leverage the extraordinary new high-resolution infrared imaging from JWST to begin the study of dust-embedded star clusters in nearby galaxies throughout the local volume.
• We present a technique for identifying dust-embedded clusters in NGC 7496 (18.7 Mpc), the first galaxy to be observed by the PHANGS-JWST Cycle 1 Treasury Survey.
• We select sources that have strong 3.3$\mu$m PAH emission based on a $\rm F300M-F335M$ color excess, and identify 67 candidate embedded clusters.