New constraints on the stellar birthrate based on kinematics and star counts in the solar neighbourhood.
Abstract
New constraints on the stellar birthrate in the solar neighborhood based on kinematics and counts of F, G, and K dwarfs are presented. It is shown that because of various uncertainties arising from observational data as well as from theoretical models of stellar interiors and atmospheres, it is illusory, at the present time, to claim to limit the time variation of the birthrate more strictly than between uniformity and a decrease by a factor of 7 in Galactic lifetime. In connection with this result, a discussion of constraints on the slope of the initial mass function in the range from 1 to 2 solar masses suggests a rather moderate value of this parameter (less than unity).
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- March 1977
- Bibcode:
- 1977A&A....55..221M
- Keywords:
-
- Galactic Evolution;
- Star Distribution;
- Stellar Evolution;
- Sun;
- Astrophysics;
- Dwarf Stars;
- G Stars;
- K Stars;
- Milky Way Galaxy;
- Stellar Interiors;
- Astrophysics