MASS SEGREGATION IN 2 YOUNG CLUSTERS IN THE LARGE-MAGELLANIC-CLOUD - SL666 AND NGC2098

The age and dynamics of the young LMC clusters SL 666 and NGC 2098 wer e investigated using CCD observations obtained with the 3.9m Anglo-Aus tralian Telescope. SL 666 was found to have an age of 1 - 1.25 x 10(8) yr, while NGC 2098 is somewhat younger, with an age of 6.3 - 7.9 x 10 (7) yr. In the case of SL 666 the good quality of the acquired data al lowed the construction of the main sequence luminosity function as a f unction of radius, which revealed mass segregation, also confirmed fro m star counts. Since the age of SL 666 is significantly lower than the mean relaxation time of at least 5 x 10(8) yr calculated for this clu ster and since the mass range of the cluster members does not permit u s to assume faster energy equipartition, the observed mass segregation seems to be due to the way stars form in the cluster. Indications on a star formation scenario are examined. Disruption time is also discus sed and there is strong evidence that the cluster is bound. NGC 2098 s hows strong evidence of mass segregation, but further observations are needed in this case.