Program: GN-2007A-Q-2

We propose K-band high spectral ($R?simeq 5000$) and spatial resolution observations of `Super-Star Clusters'' (SSCs) in nearby starburst galaxies for investigating the conditions under which SSCs are formed, their evolution, and star formation history of these galaxies. Nearby starburst galaxies play an important roles in understanding the evolution of stars and galaxies, including those at high redshift. Recently, the high spatial resolution afforded by HST, VLA, and AO systems can reveal a number of SSCs in the galaxies, which contains hundreds to thousands of OB stars within 1-10 pc region and SSCs may be commonplaces and very young clusters in such galaxies. Near-IR spectroscopy is excellent tool for study of SSCs because the visual extinction at K-band is only 1/10 of that in the optical. Our emphasis is to detect H$_2$, Br$?gamma$, HeI, [FeII], and [FeIII] linesand CO bands associated with SSCs. This will determine exactly the age, stellar populations, and excitation mechanism of H$_2$ (shocks and/or UV fluorescent). Moreover, high spectral resolution spectra can allow the estimation of the dynamical mass and kinematics of SSCs.