Allison, R.J., Goodwin, S.P., Parker, R.J. et al. (3 more authors) (2009) Dynamical mass segregation on a very short timescale. Astrophysical Journal Letters, 700 (2). L99-L103. ISSN 2041-8205
Abstract
We discuss the observations and theory of star cluster formation to argue that clusters form dynamically cool (subvirial) and with substructure. We then perform an ensemble of simulations of cool, clumpy (fractal) clusters and show that they often dynamically mass segregate on timescales far shorter than expected from simple models. The mass segregation comes about through the production of a short-lived, but very dense core. This shows that in clusters like the Orion Nebula Cluster the stars ≥ 4 M ☉ can dynamically mass segregate within the current age of the cluster. Therefore, the observed mass segregation in apparently dynamically young clusters need not be primordial, but could be the result of rapid and violent early dynamical evolution.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2009 IOP Publishing. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Astrophysical Journal Letters. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | galaxies: star clusters; methods: N-body simulations; stars: formation; stellar dynamics |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Science (Sheffield) > Department of Physics and Astronomy (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 17 Aug 2017 13:55 |
Last Modified: | 29 Mar 2018 12:04 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/700/2/L99 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | American Astronomical Society |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1088/0004-637X/700/2/L99 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:120263 |