The impact of mass loss on star cluster formation. I. Analytic results

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

to appear in MN

Scientific paper

10.1046/j.1365-8711.2003.06076.x

We study analytically the disruptive effect of instantaneous gas removal from a cluster containing O stars. We setup an iterative calculation based on the stellar velocity distribution function to compute the fraction of stars that remain bound once the cluster has ejected the gas and is out of equilibrium. We show that the stellar bound fraction is a function of the initial cluster distribution function as well as the star formation efficiency, $\epsilon$, taken constant throughout the cluster. The case of the Plummer sphere is dealt with in greater details. We find for this case that up to ~ 50% of the stars may remain bound when $\epsilon$ assumes values < 1/2, contrary to expectations derived from the virial theorem. The fraction of bound stars is expressed algebraically for polytropic distribution functions.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

The impact of mass loss on star cluster formation. I. Analytic results 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 impact of mass loss on star cluster formation. I. Analytic results, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The impact of mass loss on star cluster formation. I. Analytic results will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-569279

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.