Star cluster 'infant mortality' in the Small Magellanic Cloud (Redivivus)

Richard de Grijs; Simon P. Goodwin

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2007.12509.x

Star cluster 'infant mortality' in the Small Magellanic Cloud (Redivivus)

Richard de Grijs^*, Simon P. Goodwin

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

50 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The early evolution of star clusters in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) 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 an independent, homogeneous data set of UBVR imaging observations, from which we obtain the SMC's cluster age and mass distributions in a self-consistent manner. We conclude that the (optically selected) SMC star cluster population has undergone at most ∼30 per cent (1σ) infant mortality between the age range from about (3-10) Myr, to that of approximately (40-160) Myr. We rule out a 90 per cent cluster mortality rate per decade of age (for the full age range up to 10⁹ yr) at a >6σ level. We independently affirm this scenario based on the age distribution of the SMC cluster sample.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1000-1006
Number of pages	7
Journal	Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume	383
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2966.2007.12509.x
Publication status	Published - 21 Jan 2008
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

stellar dynamics
globular clusters: general
open clusters and associations: general
Magellanic Clouds
galaxies: star clusters

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10.1111/j.1365-2966.2007.12509.x

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abstract = "The early evolution of star clusters in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) 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 an independent, homogeneous data set of UBVR imaging observations, from which we obtain the SMC's cluster age and mass distributions in a self-consistent manner. We conclude that the (optically selected) SMC star cluster population has undergone at most ∼30 per cent (1σ) infant mortality between the age range from about (3-10) Myr, to that of approximately (40-160) Myr. We rule out a 90 per cent cluster mortality rate per decade of age (for the full age range up to 109 yr) at a >6σ level. We independently affirm this scenario based on the age distribution of the SMC cluster sample.",

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AU - Goodwin, Simon P.

PY - 2008/1/21

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N2 - The early evolution of star clusters in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) 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 an independent, homogeneous data set of UBVR imaging observations, from which we obtain the SMC's cluster age and mass distributions in a self-consistent manner. We conclude that the (optically selected) SMC star cluster population has undergone at most ∼30 per cent (1σ) infant mortality between the age range from about (3-10) Myr, to that of approximately (40-160) Myr. We rule out a 90 per cent cluster mortality rate per decade of age (for the full age range up to 109 yr) at a >6σ level. We independently affirm this scenario based on the age distribution of the SMC cluster sample.

AB - The early evolution of star clusters in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) 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 an independent, homogeneous data set of UBVR imaging observations, from which we obtain the SMC's cluster age and mass distributions in a self-consistent manner. We conclude that the (optically selected) SMC star cluster population has undergone at most ∼30 per cent (1σ) infant mortality between the age range from about (3-10) Myr, to that of approximately (40-160) Myr. We rule out a 90 per cent cluster mortality rate per decade of age (for the full age range up to 109 yr) at a >6σ level. We independently affirm this scenario based on the age distribution of the SMC cluster sample.

KW - stellar dynamics

KW - globular clusters: general

KW - open clusters and associations: general

KW - Magellanic Clouds

KW - galaxies: star clusters

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ER -

Star cluster 'infant mortality' in the Small Magellanic Cloud (Redivivus)

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Keywords

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