2006A&A...452..163D -
Astronomy and Astrophysics, volume 452, 163-168 (2006/6-2)
The fractal dimensions of the spatial distribution of young open clusters in the solar neighbourhood.
DE LA FUENTE MARCOS R. and DE LA FUENTE MARCOS C.
Abstract (from CDS):
Fractals are geometric objects with dimensionalities that are not integers. They play a fundamental role in the dynamics of chaotic systems. Observation of fractal structure in both the gas and the star-forming sites in galaxies suggests that the spatial distribution of young open clusters should follow a fractal pattern, too. Here we investigate the fractal pattern of the distribution of young open clusters in the Solar Neighbourhood using a volume-limited sample from WEBDA and a multifractal analysis. By counting the number of objects inside spheres of different radii centred on clusters, we study the homogeneity of the distribution. The fractal dimension D of the spatial distribution of a volume-limited sample of young open clusters is determined by analysing different moments of the count-in-cells. The spectrum of the Minkowski-Bouligand dimension of the distribution is studied as a function of the parameter q. The sample is corrected for dynamical effects. The Minkowski-Bouligand dimension varies with q in the range 0.71-1.77, therefore the distribution of young open clusters is fractal. We estimate that the average value of the fractal dimension is <D≥1.7±0.2 for the distribution of young open clusters studied. The spatial distribution of young open clusters in the Solar Neighbourhood exhibits multifractal structure. The fractal dimension is time-dependent, increasing over time. The values found are consistent with the fractal dimension of star-forming sites in other spiral galaxies.
Abstract Copyright:
∼
Journal keyword(s):
methods: statistical - stars: formation - open clusters and associations: general - solar neighbourhood
Simbad objects:
6
Full paper
View the references in ADS
To bookmark this query, right click on this link: simbad:2006A&A...452..163D and select 'bookmark this link' or equivalent in the popup menu