Physics
Scientific paper
Oct 2000
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000phdt.......113a&link_type=abstract
ProQuest Dissertations And Theses; Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2000.; Publication Number: AAT9988760; I
Physics
Scientific paper
This thesis presents a large scale search for new low mass members of the Pleiades cluster using near-infrared photometry from the Two Micron All Sky Survey and proper motions derived from digitized Palomar Observatory Sky Survey photographic plates. The search extends to a 10° radius around the cluster, well beyond the presumed tidal radius, and to a limiting magnitude of R ˜ 20, corresponding to a lower mass limit of ˜0.07 M&sun; at the distance and age of the Pleiades. Photometric and proper motion selection has identified roughly 1200 probable cluster members, including several hundred new candidates, from nearly 106 stars in the field. Multi-object spectroscopy for 528 candidates verifies that the search was extremely effective at detecting cluster stars in the 1--0.1 M&sun; mass range using the distribution of Halpha emission strengths as an estimate of sample contamination by field stars. When combined with previously identified, higher mass stars, this search provides a sensitive measurement of the stellar mass function and dynamical structure of the Pleiades. The cluster halo is substantially more elongated than expected from standard N body simulation results, although the elongation does lie nearly parallel to the Galactic plane as a static tidal model predicts. While the high mass stars are clearly centrally concentrated with respect to low mass stars, stars with mass less than ˜1 M&sun; share a similar radial distribution, indicating that they share a similar velocity dispersion. The mass function becomes flat near 0.1 M&sun; which implies that objects more massive than those near the hydrogen burning mass limit dominate the total mass. The total stellar mass contains ˜790 M&sun; . These results are discussed in the context of past studies of low mass objects in the Pleiades.
No associations
LandOfFree
Low mass stars and the structure of the Pleiades cluster 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 Low mass stars and the structure of the Pleiades cluster, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Low mass stars and the structure of the Pleiades cluster will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1107040