THE COMPACT STAR-FORMING COMPLEX AT THE HEART OF NGC 253

We discuss integral field spectra of the compact star-forming complex that is the brightest near-infrared (NIR) source in the central regions of the starburst galaxy NGC 253. The spectra cover the H and K passbands and were recorded with the Gemini NIR Spectrograph during subarcsecond seeing conditions. Absorption features in the spectrum of the star-forming complex are weaker than in the surroundings. An absorption feature is found near 1.78 mu m that coincides with the location of a C sub(2) bandhead. If this feature is due to C sub(2) then the star-forming complex has been in place for at least a few hundred Myr. Emission lines of Br gamma , [Feii], and He i 2.06 mu m do not track the NIR continuum light. Pockets of star-forming activity that do not have associated concentrations of red supergiants, and so likely have ages