Stellar Populations of a Sample of Tidal Dwarf Galaxies
  We investigate the stellar populations of a sample of Tidal Dwarf Galaxies, combining observations and evolutionary synthesis models to try and reveal their formation mechanism. On optical images we select a first sample of TDGs for which optical spectroscopy is used to measure metallicities and velocity structure. Finally, we estimate ages, burst strengths, and stellar masses from near-infrared imaging in comparison with a dedicated grid of evolutionary synthesis models, to assess if Tidal Dwarfs are formed out of collapsing gas clouds or by an accumulation of old stars from the parent galaxy or by a combination of both. 
Peter M. Weilbacher (1), Uta Fritze-v.Alvensleben (2), Pierre-Alain   Duc (3) ((1) Durham, (2) Goettingen, (3) Saclay)