Star counts and galactic structure.
Abstract
Star counts are discussed as an aid in studies of galactic structure. Iterative computations using a method-of-color-bins to match numerical models with observational data are described. The star counts provide bounds for the luminosity function and the color-magnitude diagram and allow spheroid normalization in a copycat Galaxy model which posits a galaxy with a Population I disk and a Population II spheroid. Good agreement has been obtained between star counts predicted by the model and observed distributions, including color and magnitude ranges and direction. Modifications being considered for the model include consideration of the halo, a galactic bulge and a thick disk. Several galactic structural features which have yet to be modeled and which may be tractable to the copycat model corrected with star counts are identified.
- Publication:
-
Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- 1986
- DOI:
- 10.1146/annurev.aa.24.090186.003045
- Bibcode:
- 1986ARA&A..24..577B
- Keywords:
-
- Galactic Structure;
- Star Distribution;
- Astronomical Models;
- Disks;
- Galactic Bulge;
- Globular Clusters;
- Histograms;
- Mass Distribution;
- Stellar Luminosity;
- Surveys;
- Astrophysics;
- ASTRONOMICAL MODELS;
- COMET TAILS;
- COMETARY ATMOSPHERES;
- HALLEY'S COMET;
- PLASMA OSCILLATIONS;
- ASTRONOMICAL PHOTOGRAPHY;
- COMETARY MAGNETOSPHERES;
- INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS;
- JAPANESE SPACECRAFT;
- THREE DIMENSIONAL MODELS