The Origin of the Universal Globular Cluster Mass Function
| Autor: | G. Parmentier, G. Gilmore |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2007 |
| Předmět: |
Physics
Initial mass function Star formation Astronomy Astronomy and Astrophysics Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics Galaxy Star cluster Space and Planetary Science Globular cluster Elliptical galaxy Astrophysics::Solar and Stellar Astrophysics Astrophysics::Galaxy Astrophysics Galaxy cluster Open cluster |
| Zdroj: | Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union. 3:413-417 |
| ISSN: | 1743-9221 1743-9213 |
| DOI: | 10.1017/s1743921308016062 |
| Popis: | Evidence favouring a Gaussian initial mass function for systems of old globular clusters has accumulated over recent years. We show that a bell-shaped mass function may be the imprint of expulsion from protoclusters of the leftover star forming gas due to supernova activity. Owing to the corresponding weakening of its gravitational potential, a protocluster retains a fraction only of its newly formed stars. The mass fraction of bound stars extends from zero to unity depending on the star formation efficiency achieved by the protoglobular cloud. We investigate how such wide variations affect the mapping of the protoglobular cloud mass function to the initial globular cluster mass function. We conclusively demonstrate that the universality of the globular cluster mass function originates from a common protoglobular cloud mass-scale of about 106 M⊙ among galaxies. Moreover, gas removal during star formation in massive gas clouds is highlighted as the likely prime cause of the predominance of field stars in the Galactic Halo. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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