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Related papers: On the Origin of the Salpeter Slope for the Initia…

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In this paper, we present a new derivation of the shape and evolution of the integrated galaxy-wide initial mass function (IGIMF), incorporating explicitly the effects of cosmic rays (CRs) as regulators of the chemical and thermal state of…

Astrophysics of Galaxies · Physics 2018-07-18 Fabio Fontanot , Francesco La Barbera , Gabriella De Lucia , Anna Pasquali , Alexandre Vazdekis

The stellar initial mass function (IMF) is a fundamental astrophysical quantity that impacts a wide range of astrophysical problems from heavy element distribution to galactic evolution to planetary system formation. However, the origin and…

Solar and Stellar Astrophysics · Physics 2017-01-11 S. S. R. Offner

It is usually assumed that the stellar initial mass function (IMF) takes a universal form and that there exists a direct mapping between this and the distribution of natal core masses (the core mass function, CMF). The IMF and CMF have been…

The stellar initial mass function (IMF) in the early universe is essential to understand the formation of ancient galaxies. To this end, we conduct a series of long-term radiation hydrodynamic simulations following star cluster formation,…

Astrophysics of Galaxies · Physics 2023-12-22 Sunmyon Chon , Takashi Hosokawa , Kazuyuki Omukai , Raffaella Schneider

Several independent lines of evidence suggest that the stellar initial mass function (IMF) in early-type galaxies becomes increasingly `bottom-heavy' with increasing galaxy mass and/or velocity dispersion, sigma. Here we consider evidence…

Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics · Physics 2015-06-16 Charlie Conroy , Aaron A. Dutton , Genevieve J. Graves , J. Trevor Mendel , Pieter G. van Dokkum

Because direct measurements require resolved stellar populations including low-mass stars, determining the stellar initial mass function (IMF) has been a historically difficult problem even within our own Galaxy and impossible everywhere…

Astrophysics of Galaxies · Physics 2026-03-26 Charles L. Steinhardt , Carter Meyerhoff , Alexander J. Luening

When calculating IMFs for young clusters, one has to take into account that (a) most massive stars are born in multiple systems (b) most IMFs are derived from data that cannot resolve such systems, and (c) multiple chance superpositions…

Astrophysics · Physics 2009-11-13 J. Maíz Apellániz

Observations of the stellar initial mass function are reviewed. The flattening at low mass is evidence for a characteristic mass in star formation, which could be the minimum stellar mass for the onset of deuterium burning or the thermal…

Astrophysics · Physics 2007-05-23 Bruce G. Elmegreen

We study the initial mass function (IMF) of one of the most massive Galactic star-forming regions NGC 3603 to answer a fundamental question in current astrophysics: is the IMF universal, or does it vary? Using our very deep, high angular…

Astrophysics · Physics 2009-11-13 Y. Harayama , F. Eisenhauer , F. Martins

We present V and I equivalent HST/WFPC2 photometry of two areas in the Large Magellanic Cloud: The southern part of the stellar association LH 52, located on the western edge of the super-shell LMC 4, and a field between two associations,…

Astrophysics · Physics 2014-10-13 D. Gouliermis , W. Brandner , Th. Henning

We 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…

Solar and Stellar Astrophysics · Physics 2015-05-20 Ralph E. Pudritz

Recent observational evidence for initial mass function (IMF) variations in massive quiescent galaxies at $z = 0$ challenges the long-established paradigm of a universal IMF. While a few theoretical models relate the IMF to birth cloud…

Astrophysics of Galaxies · Physics 2017-08-30 Kirsten Blancato , Shy Genel , Greg Bryan

In the last decade, growing evidence has emerged supporting a non-universal stellar Initial Mass Function (IMF) in massive galaxies, with a larger number of dwarf stars with respect to the Milky-Way (bottom-heavy IMF). However, a consensus…

(abridged) The stellar initial mass function (IMF) can be conveniently represented as a canonical two-part power law function and is largely invariant for star formation regions evident in the Local Group of galaxies. The IMF is a…

Astrophysics of Galaxies · Physics 2018-12-27 Pavel Kroupa , Tereza Jerabkova

The stellar initial mass function (sIMF) describes the distribution of stellar masses formed in a single star formation event in a molecular cloud clump. It is fundamental to astrophysics and cosmology, shaping our understanding of…

Recent results indicate the stellar initial mass function is not a strong function of star-forming environment or ``initial conditions'' (e.g. Meyer et al. 2000). Some studies suggest that a universal IMF may extend to sub-stellar masses…

Astrophysics · Physics 2015-11-11 M. R. Meyer , J. Greissl , M. Kenworthy , D. McCarthy

Mass measurements and absorption line studies indicate that the stellar initial mass function (IMF) is bottom-heavy in the central regions of many early-type galaxies, with an excess of low mass stars compared to the IMF of the Milky Way.…

Astrophysics of Galaxies · Physics 2021-12-22 Pieter van Dokkum , Charlie Conroy

We use Gaia DR2 to measure the initial mass function (IMF) of stars within 250 pc and masses in the range 0.2 < m/Msun < 1.0, separated according to kinematics and metallicity, as determined from Gaia transverse velocity, v_T, and location…

Astrophysics of Galaxies · Physics 2021-08-11 Na'ama Hallakoun , Dan Maoz

The universality or non-universality of the initial mass function (IMF) has significant implications for determining star formation rates and star formation histories from photometric properties of stellar populations. We reexamine whether…

Astrophysics of Galaxies · Physics 2024-01-17 R. P. V. Rautio , A. E. Watkins , H. Salo , A. Venhola , J. H. Knapen , S. Comerón

We address the turbulent fragmentation scenario for the origin of the stellar initial mass function (IMF), using a large set of numerical simulations of randomly driven supersonic MHD turbulence. The turbulent fragmentation model…

Astrophysics of Galaxies · Physics 2018-02-21 Troels Haugbølle , Paolo Padoan , Aake Nordlund