Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
1999-08-17
Published in "Star Formation 1999", ed. T. Nakamoto (Nobeyama Radio Observatory, Nobeyama, 1999), p. 336
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
11 pages, text only; invited review presented at the conference on "Star Formation 1999", Nagoya, Japan, June 1999
Scientific paper
The current status of both the observational evidence and the theory of the stellar initial mass function (IMF) is reviewed, with particular attention to the two basic, apparently universal features shown by all observations of nearby stellar systems: (1) a characteristic stellar mass of the order of one solar mass, and (2) a power-law decline of the IMF at large masses similar to the original Salpeter law. Considerable evidence and theoretical work supports the hypothesis that the characteristic stellar mass derives from a characteristic scale of fragmentation in star-forming clouds which is essentially the Jeans scale as calculated from the typical temperature and pressure in molecular clouds. The power-law decline of the IMF at large masses suggests that the most massive stars are built up by scale-free accretion or accumulation processes, and the observed formation of these stars in dense clusters and close multiple systems suggests that interactions between dense prestellar clumps or protostars in forming clusters will play a role. A simple model postulating successive mergers of subsystems in a forming cluster accompanied by the accretion of a fraction of the residual gas by the most massive protostar during each merger predicts an upper IMF of power-law form and reproduces the Salpeter law with a plausible assumed accretion efficiency.
No associations
LandOfFree
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.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-74985