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Paper: The Role of the TP-AGB Phase in Color – M/L Relations
Volume: 445, Why Galaxies Care about AGB Stars II: Shining Examples and Common Inhabitants
Page: 403
Authors: Portinari, L.; Into, T.
Abstract: Color–M/L (mass-to-light) relations are a popular tool to derive stellar mass in external galaxies. Stellar mass estimates often rely on near-infrared (NIR) photometry, considered an optimal tracer since it is little affected by dust and by the “frosting” effect of recent star-formation episodes. However, due to the important contribution of AGB stars to NIR luminosity, theoretical estimates of the M/L ratio in NIR bands strongly depend on the modelling of the AGB phase. We use recent isochrones, including a detailed modelling of the TP-AGB phase, to update theoretical colour–M/L relations in the optical and NIR, and discuss the consequences for the estimated stellar masses in external galaxies.
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