| |
 |
| Paper: |
SLUG: A New Way to Stochastically Light Up Galaxies |
| Volume: |
440, UP2010: Have Observations Revealed a Variable Upper End of the Initial Mass Function? |
| Page: |
155 |
| Authors: |
Fumagalli, M.; da Silva, R.; Krumholz, M.; Bigiel, F. |
| Abstract: |
We present SLUG, a new code to “Stochastically Light Up Galaxies”. SLUG populates star clusters by randomly drawing
stars from an initial mass function (IMF) and then following their time evolution with stellar
models and an observationally-motivated prescription for cluster disruption.
For a choice of star formation history, metallicity, and IMF,
SLUG outputs synthetic photometry for clusters and field stars
with a proper treatment of stochastic star formation. SLUG generates
realistic distributions of star clusters, demonstrating the range of properties that result from
finite sampling of an IMF and a random distribution of ages.
The simulated data sets provide a quantitative means to address open problems in
studies of star formation in galaxies and clusters, such as
a test for IMF variations that are suggested by the systematic deficiency in the
Hα/UV ratio in outer disks or in dwarf galaxies.
SLUG will be made publicly available through the website:
http://sites.google.com/site/runslug/. |
|
|
|
|
|
