scholarly journals Star Formation: Can There BE a Break in the IMF Near 0.1Mʘ?

1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 425-426
Author(s):  
Takenori Nakano
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Small Mass ◽  
Initial Mass Function ◽  
Core Mass ◽  
The Core ◽  
Cloud Cores ◽  
Formation Efficiency ◽  
Cloud Core ◽  
The Imf

The initial mass function of stars (IMF) at small masses depends on several factors. First, it depends on the mass function of cloud cores in which stars form. Second, there must be a lower limit to the core mass for contraction; very small mass cores may not contract even if they exist. This must affect greatly the IMF near its lower end. Third, not all core matter may become stars; we must determine the stellar mass M*, or the star formation efficiency M*/Mcc, as a function of the mass of the cloud core, Mcc. In this paper we discuss the second and third points.

scholarly journals Simulations of the IMF in Clusters

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S270) ◽  
pp. 151-158
Author(s):  
Ralph E. Pudritz
Keyword(s):  
Equations Of State ◽  
Stellar Dynamics ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Initial Mass Function ◽  
Core Mass ◽  
Numerical Work ◽  
Computational Approaches ◽  
The Core ◽  
The Imf

AbstractWe review computational approaches to understanding the origin of the Initial Mass Function (IMF) during the formation of star clusters. We examine the role of turbulence, gravity and accretion, equations of state, and magnetic fields in producing the distribution of core masses - the Core Mass Function (CMF). Observations show that the CMF is similar in form to the IMF. We focus on feedback processes such as stellar dynamics, radiation, and outflows can reduce the accreted mass to give rise to the IMF. Numerical work suggests that filamentary accretion may play a key role in the origin of the IMF.

scholarly journals Origin of the prestellar core mass function and link to the IMF – Herschel first results

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S270) ◽  
pp. 255-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ph. André ◽  
A. Men'shchikov ◽  
V. Könyves ◽  
D. Arzoumanian
Keyword(s):  
Gravitational Instability ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Initial Mass Function ◽  
Mhd Turbulence ◽  
Core Mass ◽  
Thin Filaments ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Prestellar Cores ◽  
First Results ◽  
The Imf

AbstractWe briefly review ground-based (sub)millimeter dust continuum observations of the prestellar core mass function (CMF) and its connection to the stellar initial mass function (IMF). We also summarize the first results obtained on this topic from the Herschel Gould Belt survey, one of the largest key projects with the Herschel Space Observatory. Our early findings with Herschel confirm the existence of a close relationship between the CMF and the IMF. Furthermore, they suggest a scenario according to which the formation of prestellar cores occurs in two main steps: 1) complex networks of long, thin filaments form first, probably as a result of interstellar MHD turbulence; 2) the densest filaments then fragment and develop prestellar cores via gravitational instability.

Star formation at low rates: impact of lacking massive stars on the evolution of dwarf galaxies

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (S344) ◽  
pp. 186-189
Author(s):  
P. Steyrleithner ◽  
G. Hensler ◽  
S. Recchi ◽  
S. Ploeckinger
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Galaxy Evolution ◽  
Dwarf Galaxies ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Initial Mass Function ◽  
Single Star ◽  
The Imf

AbstractIn recent years dedicated observations have uncovered star formation at extremely low rates in dwarf galaxies, tidal tails, ram-pressure stripped gas clouds, and the outskirts of galactic disks. At the same time, numerical simulations of galaxy evolution have advanced to higher spatial and mass resolutions, but have yet to account for the underfilling of the uppermost mass bins of stellar initial mass function (IMF) at low star-formation rates. In such situations, simulations may simply scale down the IMF, without realizing that this unrealistically results in fractions of massive stars, along with fractions of massive star feedback energy (e.g., radiation and SNII explosions). Not properly accounting for such parameters has consequences for the self-regulation of star formation, the energetics of galaxies, as well as for the evolution of chemical abundances. Here we present numerical simulations of dwarf galaxies with low star-formation rates allowing for two extreme cases of the IMF: a “filled” case with fractional massive stars vs. a truncated IMF, at which the IMF is built bottom-up until the gas reservoir allows the formation of a last single star at an uppermost mass. The aim of the study is to demonstrate the different effects on galaxy evolution with respect to self-regulation, feedback, and chemistry. The case of a stochastic sampled IMF is situated somewhere in between these extremes.

scholarly journals The highly variable time evolution of star-forming cores identified with dendrograms

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (4) ◽  
pp. 4517-4534
Author(s):  
Rachel A Smullen ◽  
Kaitlin M Kratter ◽  
Stella S R Offner ◽  
Aaron T Lee ◽  
Hope How-Huan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Time Evolution ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Density Field ◽  
Initial Mass Function ◽  
Stellar Content ◽  
Core Mass ◽  
Structure Variation ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
The Core ◽  
Dense Cores

ABSTRACT We investigate the time evolution of dense cores identified in molecular cloud simulations using dendrograms, which are a common tool to identify hierarchical structure in simulations and observations of star formation. We develop an algorithm to link dendrogram structures through time using the three-dimensional density field from magnetohydrodynamical simulations, thus creating histories for all dense cores in the domain. We find that the population-wide distributions of core properties are relatively invariant in time, and quantities like the core mass function match with observations. Despite this consistency, an individual core may undergo large (>40 per cent), stochastic variations due to the redefinition of the dendrogram structure between time-steps. This variation occurs independent of environment and stellar content. We identify a population of short-lived (<200 kyr) overdensities masquerading as dense cores that may comprise $\sim\!20$ per cent of any time snapshot. Finally, we note the importance of considering the full history of cores when interpreting the origin of the initial mass function; we find that, especially for systems containing multiple stars, the core mass defined by a dendrogram leaf in a snapshot is typically less than the final system stellar mass. This work reinforces that there is no time-stable density contour that defines a star-forming core. The dendrogram itself can induce significant structure variation between time-steps due to small changes in the density field. Thus, one must use caution when comparing dendrograms of regions with different ages or environment properties because differences in dendrogram structure may not come solely from the physical evolution of dense cores.

scholarly journals Transition of the initial mass function in the metal-poor environments

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunmyon Chon ◽  
Kazuyuki Omukai ◽  
Raffaella Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Mass Distribution ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Initial Mass Function ◽  
Initial Mass ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
Filamentary Structure ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Cloud Core

Abstract We study star cluster formation in a low-metallicity environment using three dimensional hydrodynamic simulations. Starting from a turbulent cloud core, we follow the formation and growth of protostellar systems with different metallicities ranging from 10−6 to 0.1 Z⊙. The cooling induced by dust grains promotes fragmentation at small scales and the formation of low-mass stars with M* ∼ 0.01–0.1 M⊙ While the number of low-mass stars increases with metallicity, when Z/Z⊙ ≳ 10−5. the stellar mass distribution is still top-heavy for Z/Z⊙ ≲ 10−2 compared to the Chabrier initial mass function (IMF). In these cases, star formation begins after the turbulent motion decays and a single massive cloud core monolithically collapses to form a central massive stellar system. The circumstellar disk preferentially feeds the mass to the central massive stars, making the mass distribution top-heavy. When Z/Z⊙ = 0.1, collisions of the turbulent flows promote the onset of the star formation and a highly filamentary structure develops owing to efficient fine-structure line cooling. In this case, the mass supply to the massive stars is limited by the local gas reservoir and the mass is shared among the stars, leading to a Chabrier-like IMF. We conclude that cooling at the scales of the turbulent motion promotes the development of the filamentary structure and works as an important factor leading to the present-day IMF.

scholarly journals The Initial Mass Function of Be Stars

2004 ◽  
Vol 215 ◽  
pp. 83-84
Author(s):  
J. Zorec ◽  
R. Levenhagen ◽  
J. Chauville ◽  
Y. Frémat ◽  
D. Ballereau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Initial Mass Function ◽  
Initial Mass ◽  
Be Stars ◽  
Fast Rotation ◽  
Formation Conditions ◽  
The Imf

Allowing for systematic differences in the counting of Be Stars due to their overluminosity, changes produced by their fast rotation on spectral types and time spent in the main sequence, a difference between the IMF (Be) and IMF(B) appears, which indicates that the appearance of the Be phenomenon may relay on differences in the initial star formation conditions.

scholarly journals Star Formation in Cooling Flows

1987 ◽  
Vol 127 ◽  
pp. 167-177
Author(s):  
R. W. O'Connell
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Stellar Populations ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Initial Mass Function ◽  
Initial Mass ◽  
Flow Forming ◽  
Cooling Flows ◽  
Cd Galaxies ◽  
Ngc 1275 ◽  
The Imf

Star formation, probably with an abnormal initial mass function, represents the most plausible sink for the large amounts of material being accreted by cD galaxies from cooling flows. There are three prominent cases (NGC 1275, PKS 0745-191, and Abell 1795) where cooling flows have apparently induced unusual stellar populations. Recent studies show that about 50% of other accreting cD's have significant ultraviolet excesses. It therefore appears that detectable accretion populations are frequently associated with cooling flows. The questions of the form of the IMF, the fraction of the flow forming stars, and the lifetime of the flow remain open.

Prestellar Core Collisions - Impact on the formation of the CMF? A case study on FeSt 1-457

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (S345) ◽  
pp. 328-329
Author(s):  
Gabor I. Herbst-Kiss ◽  
Joao Alves
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Cloud ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Initial Mass Function ◽  
Initial Mass ◽  
Core Mass ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
The Core ◽  
Prestellar Cores

AbstractThe initial mass function (IMF) is a profoundly studied subject, however its origin is still unclear and heavily disputed. The Core Mass Function (CMF) has a remarkable resemblance to a shifted IMF along the mass axis of a factor of 3. This CMF has been observed amongst others in the Pipe Nebula, a calm molecular cloud at approximately 130 pc. We study the origin of the CMF under the assumption that collisions and merging of prestellar cores shape the CMF. We present our preliminary results of core collisions for the well known FeSt 1-457.

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