The Initial Mass Function and its Variation

Details The Initial Mass Function and its Variation The Initial Mass Function and its Variation

2001-02-09

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0102155v2

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

8 pages, 2 figures, to appear in Modes of Star Formation, E.Grebel, W.Brandner (eds), ASP Conf. Ser.; repl.version: 0.6 replac

Scientific paper

The observed distribution of IMF shapes can be understood as statistical sampling from a universal IMF and variations that result from stellar-dynamical processes. However, young star clusters appear to have an IMF biased towards low-mass stars when compared to the Galactic disk IMF, which comprises an average populated by star-formation episodes occurring Gyrs ago. In addition to this tentative but exciting deduction, this text outlines some of the stumbling blocks hindering the production of rigorous IMF determinations, and discusses the most robust evidence for structure in it. Also, it is stressed that an invariant IMF should not be expected.

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