On the origin of double main-sequence turn-offs in star clusters of the Magellanic Clouds

Details On the origin of double main-sequence turn-offs in star clusters of the Magellanic Clouds On the origin of double main-sequence turn-offs in star clusters of the Magellanic Clouds

2008-12-03

arxiv.org/abs/0812.0631v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

10 pages, 7 figures, accepted by MNRAS

Scientific paper

10.1111/j.1365-2966.2008.14320.x

Recent observational studies of intermediate-age star clusters (SCs) in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) have reported that a significant number of these objects show double main-sequence turn-offs (DMSTOs) in their color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs). One plausible explanation for the origin of these DMSTOs is that the SCs are composed of two different stellar populations with age differences of ~ 300 Myr. Based on analytical methods and numerical simulations, we explore a new scenario in which SCs interact and merge with star-forming giant molecular clouds (GMCs) to form new composite SCs with two distinct component populations. In this new scenario, the possible age differences between the two different stellar populations responsible for the DMSTOs are due largely to secondary star formation within GMCs interacting and merging with already-existing SCs in the LMC disk. The total gas masses being converted into new stars (i.e., the second generation of stars) during GMC-SC interaction and merging can be comparable to or larger than the masses of the original SCs (i.e, the first generation of stars) in this scenario. Our simulations show that the spatial distributions of new stars in composite SCs formed from GMC-SC merging are more compact than those of stars initially in the SCs. We discuss both advantages and disadvantages of the new scenario in explaining fundamental properties of SCs with DMSTOs in the LMC and in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). We also discuss the merits of various alternative scenarios for the origin of the DMSTOs.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

On the origin of double main-sequence turn-offs in star clusters of the Magellanic Clouds 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 On the origin of double main-sequence turn-offs in star clusters of the Magellanic Clouds, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and On the origin of double main-sequence turn-offs in star clusters of the Magellanic Clouds will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-624731