The recent star formation history of the hipparcos solar neighbourhood
Mar, 20009 pages
Published in:
- Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc. 316 (2000) 605
e-Print:
- astro-ph/0003113 [astro-ph]
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Abstract: (arXiv)
We use data from the Hipparcos catalogue to construct colour-magnitude diagrams for the solar neighbourhood, which are then treated using advanced Bayesian analysis techniques to derive the star formation history, , of this region over the last 3 Gyr. The method we use allows the recovery of the underlying without the need of assuming any {\it a priori} structure or condition on , and hence yields a highly objective result. The remarkable accuracy of the data permits the reconstruction of the local with an unprecedented time resolution of Myr. A having an oscillatory component of period Gyr is found, superimposed on a small level of constant star formation activity. Problems arising from the non-uniform selection function of the Hipparcos satellite are discussed and treated. Detailed statistical tests are then performed on the results, which confirm the inferred to be compatible with the observed distribution of stars.Note:
- 9 pages including figures, MNRAS in press
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