A benchmark for multi-conjugated AO: VLT-MAD observations of the young massive cluster Trumpler 14
Abstract
MAD is the first multi-conjugated adaptive optics system at the VLT. We present H and Ks observations of the young massive cluster Trumpler 14 revealing the power of MCAO systems by providing a homogeneous Strehl ratio over a large field of view. Mean Strehl ratios of 6.0 and 5.9 per cent with maximum Strehl ratios of 9.8 and 12.6 per cent in H and Ks, respectively, show significant improvement of the spatial PSF stability compared to single-conjugated adaptive optics systems. Photometry of our observations cover a dynamic range of ~10 mag including 2-3 times more sources than comparable seeing-limited observations. The colour-magnitude diagram reveals that the massive cluster originated in a recent starburst-like event 1+/-0.5 Myr ago. We tentatively detect hints for an older population of 3 Myr suggesting that low intensity star formation might have been going on in the HII region for a few Myr. We derive the luminosity function and mass function between 0.1 M_sun and 3.2 M_sun and identify a change of the power law slope of the mass function at m_c~0.53(+0.12/-0.10) M_sun. The MF appears shallow with power law slopes of Gamma1=-0.50+/-0.11 above m_c and Gamma2=0.63+/-0.32 below m_c.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1108.0905,
title = {A benchmark for multi-conjugated AO: VLT-MAD observations of the young massive cluster Trumpler 14},
author = {B. Rochau and W. Brandner and A. Stolte and T. Henning and N. Da Rio and M. Gennaro and F. Hormuth and E. Marchetti and P. Amico},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1108.0905},
year = {2015}
}
Comments
Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 12 pages, 10 figures, 2 tables