The Properties of Dense, Star-forming Clusters from Multi-wavelength SED Fitting: the Case of W43
Abstract
The star formation characteristics of dense massive clusters are the subject of several observational and theoretical efforts, given their importance in unveiling fundamental aspects such as the slope and upper cutoff of the Initial Mass Function (IMF),and the nature of massive star formation. The degree of success of such methods is limited by the fact that most of the studied clusters are spatially blended or unresolved by current facilities at mid- and far-infrared wavelengths. We present a Bayesian method to study these unresolved clusters using a SED fitting approach that uses a library of pre-computed SED models and archival data from multi-wavelength surveys, making special emphasis on the different beam sizes of the observations. We apply the method to the star-forming complex W43, located in the inner spiral arm of the galaxy and analyze the results in terms of the Luminosity Function (LF), and census of massive stars in this region. We then compare our results to theoretical predictions on the shape of the IMF, and its relation with the young stellar objects LM.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #221
- Pub Date:
- January 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013AAS...22141004M