2008/07/01 by Richard de Grijs, Simon P. Goodwin · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies #Cluster (spacecraft) #Large Magellanic Cloud #Population #Range (aeronautics) #Star cluster #Star formation #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1017/s1743921308028639
published in Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union 4(S256), 311-316 (Cambridge University Press) · 6 pages, conference contribution to IAU Symposium 256, van Loon J.T. & Oliviera J.M., eds., Cambridge Univ. Press (also presented at "From Taurus to the Antennae", Univ. of Sheffield, August 2008)
openalex publication_date 2008/07/01 · arxiv created 2008/08/19 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Abstract The evolution of star clusters in the Magellanic Clouds has been the subject of significant recent controversy, particularly regarding the importance and length of the earliest, largely mass-independent disruption phase (referred to as “infant mortality”). Here, we take a fresh approach to the problem, using a large, independent, and homogeneous data set of UBVR imaging observations, from which we obtain the cluster age and mass distributions in both the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (LMC, SMC) in a self-consistent manner. We conclude that the (optically selected) SMC star cluster population has undergone at most ~30% (1σ) infant mortality between the age range from about 3–10 Myr, to that of approximately 40–160 Myr. We rule out a 90% cluster mortality rate per decade of age (for the full age range up to 10 9 yr) at a > 6σ level. Using a simple approach, we derive a “characteristic” cluster disruption time-scale for the cluster population in the LMC that implies that we are observing the initial cluster mass function (CMF). Preliminary results suggest that the LMC cluster population may be affected by <10% infant mortality.