Objects in NGC 205 resolved into stellar associations by Hubble Space Telescope ultraviolet imaging

We have obtained high-resolution UV images with the Hubble Space Telescope/ Wide-Field Planetary Camera 2 of the central region of the dwarf elliptical galaxy NGC 205. Our images reveal that many of the hot UV stars previously detected and studied from the ground are actually multiple systems, open c lusters, and star associations. We have performed photometry of two such cl usters, and we find that our data are consistent with stellar ages of 50 an d 100 Myr, respectively. From the number of massive stars in NGC 205, we es timate that the star formation episode in this galaxy has turned similar to 1000 M-. of gas into stars over the last 100 Myr.