Observations of the IMF in Clusters

Joana Ascenso, João Alves

Publications: Contribution to bookContribution to proceedings

Abstract

The Initial Mass Function (IMF) is a seemingly a universal outcome of the star formation process. Over the last five decades it has been measured in young clusters and associations, in old globulars and in the field, in the Milky Way and in neighboring galaxies, covering regions spanning a wide range of physical conditions. The result is always similar: a Salpeter-like mass distribution for the higher masses and a subsequent flattening for lower masses. As we analyse more distant and dense clusters, however, our ability to measure the IMF properly becomes severely hampered by crowding.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationStar Clusters in the Era of Large Surveys
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of Symposium 5 of JENAM 2010
EditorsAndré Moitinho
Place of PublicationBerlin, Heidelberg
PublisherSpringer-Verlag Berlin-Heidelberg
Pages231-234
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-642-22113-2
ISBN (Print)978-3-642-22112-5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

Publication series

SeriesAstrophysics and Space Science Proceedings
ISSN1570-6591

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 103004 Astrophysics
  • 103003 Astronomy

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