2007A&A...474...77K -
Astronomy and Astrophysics, volume 474, 77-104 (2007/10-4)
The primordial binary population. II. Recovering the binary population for intermediate mass stars in Scorpius OB2.
KOUWENHOVEN M.B.N., BROWN A.G.A., PORTEGIES ZWART S.F. and KAPER L.
Abstract (from CDS):
We characterize the binary population in the young and nearby OB association
Scorpius OB2 (
Sco OB2) using available observations of visual, spectroscopic, and astrometric binaries with intermediate-mass primaries. We take into account observational biases by comparing the observations with simulated observations of model associations. The available data indicate a large binary fraction (>70% with 3σ confidence), with a large probability that all intermediate mass stars in
Sco OB2 are part of a binary system. The binary systems have a mass ratio distribution of the form f
q(q) ∝q
γq_^, with γ
q≃-0.4.
Sco OB2 has a semi-major axis distribution of the form f
a(a) ∝a
γa_^ with γ
a≃-1.0 (Oepik's law), in the range 5R
☉≲a≲5x10
6R
☉. The log-normal period distribution of Duquennoy & Mayor (
1991A&A...248..485D) results in too few spectroscopic binaries, even if the model binary fraction is 100%.
Sco OB2 is a young association with a low stellar density; its current population is expected to be very similar to the primordial population. The fact that practically all stars in
Sco OB2 are part of a binary (or multiple) system demonstrates that multiplicity is a fundamental factor in the star formation process, at least for intermediate mass stars.
Abstract Copyright:
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Journal keyword(s):
Galaxy: open clusters and associations: individual: Scorpius OB2 - stars: binaries: visual - stars: binaries: general - stars: formation
Simbad objects:
132
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