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| EPoS Contribution |
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The present day mass function of the Quintuplet cluster - star formation in the extreme environment of the Galactic centre
Benjamin Hussmann I. Physikalisches Institut, Universität zu Köln, Köln, Germany | |
| The three young, massive star clusters found in the galactic centre region (Young Nuclear Cluster, Arches and Quintuplet cluster) are among the six most massive, open clusters in our galaxy with masses similar to low-mass, extragalactic starburst clusters. As the extreme conditions for star formation in this region are likely comparable to the ones found in the HII regions in starburst galaxies these clusters serve as templates for extragalactic starburst clusters. These clusters constitute unique laboratories for stellar evolution, as they contain large numbers of stars in the entire mass range and therefore sample the present day mass function (PDMF) up to the most massive stars. The Quintuplet cluster with an age of about 4 Myr displays the lowest spatial density of the three Galactic centre clusters. In order to derive an unbiased sample of cluster stars and determine the mass function correctly, cluster and field stars have to be discerned out to radii where the member density drops below the field star density. We used proper motion measurements to establish a membership sample. The cluster stars were selected based on their individual proper motion, which was determined by comparing two high precision astrometric VLT/NACO datasets with a time baseline of 5 years. From this selection of cluster members the PDMF of the Quintuplet cluster is derived for the first time. In this poster, the PDMF of cluster members, and a brief comparison with both Milky Way and nearby extragalactic starburst clusters, will be presented. | |
| Collaborators: A. Stolte, U zu Köln, Germany W. Brandner, MPIA, Germany |
Suggested Session:
Massive Stars |