Mass Segregation and the Initial Mass Function of Low Mass Stars in Open Clusters
Abstract
The observed luminosity function of low mass stars in an open cluster provides information about the initial mass function (IMF) and the dynamical evolution of that cluster. Our previous survey of open clusters has revealed three clusters with interesting low mass star luminosity functions. We propose to observe these clusters over a much greater spatial extent, and to deeper magnitude limits, than has previously been possible. These data will provide us with complete samples of candidate members out to a large radius from the cluster center. We will use the samples to investigate the mass segregation, dynamical evolution and initial mass functions of the clusters.
- Publication:
-
NOAO Proposal
- Pub Date:
- February 1999
- Bibcode:
- 1999noao.prop..368T