Star clusters in M33. I. Detection, morphology, and photometry

In this paper we present the discovery of 60 star clusters in 20 multiband Hubble Space Telescope (HST) WFPC2 fields in M33. The fields sample a variety of environments, from outer regions to spiral arms and, central regions, as well as a range of galactocentric distances. The HST spatial resolution allowed us to penetrate the crowded, spiral arm regions of M33 yielding the first unbiased, representative sample of star clusters for this galaxy. We discuss the separation of clusters from stellar sources, and from other extended sources such as star-forming regions, H II regions, and supernova remnants. For the clusters we present multiband images and discuss morphology, location, and integrated photometry. Measured cluster colors and magnitudes are presented. The cluster density in our sample as a function of galactocentric distance yields an estimate of 690 total clusters in M33.