Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2007-06-08
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
8 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ
Scientific paper
10.1086/520795
We re-analyze the age distribution (dN/dt) of star clusters in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) using age determinations based on the Magellanic Cloud Photometric Survey. For ages younger than 3x10^9 yr the dN/dt distribution can be approximated by a power-law distribution, dN/dt propto t^-beta, with -beta=-0.70+/-0.05 or -beta=-0.84+/-0.04, depending on the model used to derive the ages. Predictions for a cluster population without dissolution limited by a V-band detection result in a power-law dN/dt distribution with an index of ~-0.7. This is because the limiting cluster mass increases with age, due to evolutionary fading of clusters, reducing the number of observed clusters at old ages. When a mass cut well above the limiting cluster mass is applied, the dN/dt distribution is flat up to 1 Gyr. We conclude that cluster dissolution is of small importance in shaping the dN/dt distribution and incompleteness causes dN/dt to decline. The reason that no (mass independent) infant mortality of star clusters in the first ~10-20 Myr is found is explained by a detection bias towards clusters without nebular emission, i.e. cluster that have survived the infant mortality phase. The reason we find no evidence for tidal (mass dependent) cluster dissolution in the first Gyr is explained by the weak tidal field of the SMC. Our results are in sharp contrast to the interpretation of Chandar et al. (2006), who interpret the declining dN/dt distribution as rapid cluster dissolution. This is due to their erroneous assumption that the sample is limited by cluster mass, rather than luminosity.
Gieles Mark
Lamers Henny J. G. L. M.
Portegies Zwart Simon. F.
No associations
LandOfFree
On the Interpretation of the Age Distribution of Star Clusters in the Small Magellanic Cloud 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 On the Interpretation of the Age Distribution of Star Clusters in the Small Magellanic Cloud, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and On the Interpretation of the Age Distribution of Star Clusters in the Small Magellanic Cloud will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-653265