  M85 optical transient 2006-1 (M85 OT 2006-1) is the most luminous member of
the small family of V838 Mon-like objects, whose nature is still a mystery.
This event took place in the Virgo cluster of galaxies and peaked at an
absolute magnitude of I~-13. Here we present Hubble Space Telescope images of
M85 OT 2006-1 and its environment, taken before and after the eruption, along
with a spectrum of the host galaxy at the transient location. We find that the
progenitor of M85 OT 2006-1 was not associated with any star forming region.
The g and z-band absolute magnitudes of the progenitor were fainter than about
-4 and -6 mag, respectively. Therefore, we can set a lower limit of ~50 Myr on
the age of the youngest stars at the location of the progenitor that
corresponds to a mass of <7 solar mass. Previously published line indices
suggest that M85 has a mean stellar age of 1.6+/-0.3 Gyr. If this mean age is
representative of the progenitor of M85 OT 2006-1, then we can further
constrain its mass to be less than 2 solar mass. We compare the energetics and
mass limit derived for the M85 OT 2006-1 progenitor with those expected from a
simple model of violent stellar mergers. Combined with further modeling, these
new clues may ultimately reveal the true nature of these puzzling events.
