Stellar populations in the central region of the dwarf elliptical galaxy NGC 205

BVRI CCD photometry of approximate to 2,300 stars in the central 2.'2x3.'5 area of che dwarf elliptical galaxy NGC 205 in the Local Group is presented, The color-magnitude diagrams of NGC 205 show: (1) a blue plume around (B-V)approximate to 0.0 mag, extending up to V approximate to 19.3 mag (M(V) approximate to 5.4 mag); and (2) a strong asymptotic giant branch (AGB) population, the brightest of which reaches I approximate to 19.0 mag, 1.5 mag brighter than the tip of the red giant branch. BVRI photometry of three globular clusters (Hubble IV, V, and VII is also presented. Hubble V is much bluer [(B-V)=0.37] than other globular clusters. This blue color of Hubble V leads to an estimate of the age, approximate to 300 Myrs. A V luminosity function for the blue stars has been derived: the logarithmic slope of the luminosity function for -5.7<M(V)<-3.2 is 0.64+/-0.12, which is similar to those of other nearby galaxies. The AGE stars extend to M(bol)approximate to-5.7 mag, which is approximate to 0.7 mag brighter than those in NGC 185, The bolometric luminosity function of the AGE stars in NGC 205 is found to be flatter than that of the similar dwarf elliptical galaxy NGC 185, but similar to that of a bulge field 4' of the nucleus of M31. Surface photometry for the central area within R=50 '' is presented, showing that the colors get bluer as the galactocentric radius decreases except for the nucleus region within R=1.'' 6 where the colors get redder inward, Star formation history in NGC: 205 is briefly discussed. (C) 1996 American Astronomical Society.