The stellar initial mass function

Details The stellar initial mass function The stellar initial mass function

May 1986

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1986fcph...11....1s&link_type=abstract

Fundamentals of Cosmic Physics (ISSN 0094-5846), vol. 11, May 1986, p. 1-278.

Physics

1483

Mass Distribution, Stellar Evolution, Stellar Mass, Chronology, Galaxies, Mass To Light Ratios, Metallicity, Star Clusters, Stellar Luminosity, Stellar Spectra

Scientific paper

The existing observational database on the stellar mass distribution is reviewed as the basis for defining a new estimate of the field star mass function and its sources of error. A valid initial mass function (IMF) is desirable in order to gain the capability of tracking the chemical evolution and abundances of stars and galaxies. Several parameterized versions of the IMF are discussed and illustrated with examples. The field star IMF is introduced for estimating the stellar mass function by determining the frequency distribution of luminosities for field stars in the solar neighborhood. The distribution is converted into a distribution of masses by means of a mass-luminosity relation and corrected for stars that have died over the history of the galactic disk. The results are applied to the solar neighborhood, compared with calculations using other models, and then extended to calculating IMFs for star clusters, nearby galaxies, and chemical distributions within galaxies.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The stellar initial mass function does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The stellar initial mass function, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The stellar initial mass function will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1773670