Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-06-22
Astron.Astrophys. 425 (2004) 837-847
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
to appear in A&A, 12 pages including 7 figures
Scientific paper
10.1051/0004-6361:20047006
The stellar population and star clusters around six regions in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) are studied to understand the correlation between star formation and cluster formation rates. We used the stellar database of the OGLE II LMC survey and the star cluster catalogues. The observed distribution of stellar density on the colour-magnitude diagrams (CMDs) were compared with the synthetic ones generated from the stellar evolutionary models. By minimising the reduced chi-square values, the star formation history of the regions were obtained in terms of the star formation rates (SFRs). All the regions were found to show large SFRs between the ages 500 Myr - 2 Gyr with lower values for younger and older ages. The correlated peak in the cluster and SFRs is found for ages $sim$ 1 Gyr, and for ages less than 100 Myr. Five out of six regions show significant cluster formation in the 100 - 300 Myr, while the SFRs were found to be very low. This indicates anti-correlation between star and cluster formation rates for the 100 - 300 Myr age range. A possible reason may be that the stars are predominantly formed in clusters, whether bound or unbound, as a result of star formation during the above age range. The enhanced cluster formation rate at 100 - 300 Myr age range could be correlated with the encounter of LMC with the Small Magellanic Cloud, while the enhanced star and cluster formation at $\sim$ 1 Gyr does not correspond to any interaction. This could indicate that the star formation induced by interaction is biased towards group or cluster formation of stars.
No associations
LandOfFree
Cluster formation versus star formation rates around six regions in the LMC 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 Cluster formation versus star formation rates around six regions in the LMC, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cluster formation versus star formation rates around six regions in the LMC will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-668896