NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0189
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0189 |
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PI: Nate Bastian, University of Exeter, bastian@astro.ex.ac.uk
Address: Astrophysics Group, School of Physics, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QL, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
CoI: Michael Meyer, ETH Zurich
CoI: Julia Greissl, University of Arizona
CoI: Anil Seth, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Title: Testing IMF universality through the direct detection of low mass stars in starburst galaxies
Abstract:
Whether or not the initial mass function (IMF) of stars is universal, or is
instead sensitive to the initial conditions of star formation is a source of
vigorous discussion. The distinction is of critical importance: the IMF
influences most of the observable properties of stellar populations and
galaxies, and detecting variations in the IMF could provide deep insights
into the star formation process. We propose to obtain near-IR spectra with
NIFS on Gemini-North of the central starburst region in M82, in order to
directly detect the presense of low mass pre-main sequence stars. Through
quantitative analysis of high S/N spectra, the number of low mass stars
relative to high mass stars can be estimated, providing the most direct
constraint on the IMF possible for galaxies outside the local group. This
technique has recently been verified for young clusters in the Antennae
merging galaxies. M82 (which is a factor of 6 closer than the Antennae) is
the local template most often used to understand high redshift star-forming
galaxies, and hence it is a key touchstone in our understanding of the IMF.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0189 |
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