Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Galaxy Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2011-01-25
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Galaxy Astrophysics
8 pages, 3 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the conference "UP: Have Observations Revealed a Variable Upper End of the
Scientific paper
The integrated galactic initial mass function (IGIMF) is computed from the combination of the stellar initial mass function (IMF) and the embedded cluster mass function, described by a power law with index beta. The result of the combination is a time-varying IMF which depends on the star formation rate. We applied the IGIMF formalism to a chemical evolution model for the solar neighbourhood and compared the results obtained by assuming three possible values for beta with the ones obtained by means of a standard, well-tested, constant IMF. In general, a lower absolute value of beta implies a flatter IGIMF, hence a larger number of massive stars, higher Type Ia and II supernova rates, higher mass ejection rates and higher [alpha/Fe] values at a given metallicity. Our suggested fiducial value for beta is 2, since with this value we can account for most of the local observables. We discuss our results in a broader perspective, with some implications regarding the possible universality of the IMF and the importance of the star formation threshold.
Calura Francesco
Kroupa Pavel
Matteucci Francesca
Recchi Simone
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