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| Paper: |
Luminosity Functions of Young Stellar Clusters |
| Volume: |
287, Galactic Star Formation Across the Stellar Mass Spectrum |
| Page: |
87 |
| Authors: |
Prusti, T. |
| Abstract: |
The luminosity function of a young stellar cluster can be used as a statistical tool to address the questions of initial mass function, star forming history within the population and pre-main sequence tracks. The ISO results of luminosity function studies of the ρ Oph cluster are reviewed and the unique potential to extend the work to the brown dwarf mass domain and beyond is outlined. The lowest mass objects can provide answers to the questions of the protostellar accretion phase and initial conditions of star formation; both areas out of reach with stellar mass objects whose deuterium burning has erased all memory of their birth paths. We argue that it is already now possible to observe the luminosity function well into the planetary mass object domain. |
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