Abstract
Based on photometry of deep CCD frames of the central region of the OB cluster Berkeley 86, we derive the cluster mass function. The absence of current star formation, and the cluster's young age of about 6Myrs, leads to the conclusion that the initial mass function (IMF) and the current mass function are identical for stars with m< 10msun_. In the range of 1.2-20msun_, an IMF with a slope of {GAMMA}=-1.3+/-0.3 is found. This value agrees well with other recent determinations of young clusters IMFs which are close to the classical Salpeter IMF with {GAMMA}=-1.35. Sections of the IMF of Berkeley 86 that are significantly steeper, or flatter, are most likely the result of a dip in the star's mass distribution in the range of 3.5-10msun_. Similar dips may have led to steep IMFs over narrow mass ranges, as reported in the literature for some other clusters. No sign for a low mass turn-over in the IMF of Berkeley 86 is found for masses extending down to 0.85 msun _ (Refer to PDF file for exact formulas).
Publication Date
10-1996
Document Type
Article
Department, Program, or Center
Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science (COS)
Recommended Citation
H. J. Deeg, Z. Ninkov, Deep CCD photometry and the initial mass function of the core of the OB cluster Berkeley 86. Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser. 119 (2) 221-230 (1996) DOI: 10.1051/aas:1996240
Campus
RIT – Main Campus
Comments
Reproduced with permission from Astronomy & Astrophyics Supplement Series, © 1996 ESO
The CCD sensor development was supported by an NSF IUCRC and a New York State CAT grant to the Center for Electronic Imaging Systems and a FAR Theodore Dunham Jr. Grant.
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