Abstract
By combining deep optical imaging and infrared spectroscopy with data from the Two-Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS) and from previous studies (e.g., Briceño et al.), I have measured the initial mass function (IMF) for a reddening-limited sample in four fields in the Taurus star-forming region. This IMF is representative of the young populations within these fields for masses above 0.02 M⊙. Relative to the similarly derived IMF for the Trapezium Cluster (Luhman et al.), the IMF for Taurus exhibits a modest deficit of stars above 1 solar mass (i.e., steeper slope), the same turnover mass (∼0.8 M⊙), and a significant deficit of brown dwarfs. If the IMF in Taurus were the same as that in the Trapezium, 12.8 ± 1.8 brown dwarfs (>0.02 M⊙) are expected in these Taurus fields where only one brown dwarf candidate is found. These results are used to test theories of the IMF.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1044-1055 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
Volume | 544 |
Issue number | 2 PART 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1 2000 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science