Issue |
A&A
Volume 452, Number 1, June II 2006
|
|
---|---|---|
Page(s) | 195 - 201 | |
Section | Galactic structure, stellar clusters, and populations | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20054699 | |
Published online | 17 May 2006 |
AGB stars in the Magellanic Clouds
III. The rate of star formation across the Small Magellanic Cloud
1
SUPA, School of Physics, University of Edinburgh, IfA, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh EH9 3HJ, UK e-mail: mrc@roe.ac.uk
2
Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, INAF, Vicolo dell'Osservatorio 5, 35122 Padova, Italy
3
Dipartimento di Astronomia, Università di Padova, Vicolo dell'Osservatorio 2, 35122 Padova, Italy
4
Sterrewacht Leiden, Niels Bohrweg 2, 2333 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
Received:
16
December
2005
Accepted:
21
February
2006
Aims.This article compares the Ks magnitude distribution of Small Magellanic Cloud asymptotic giant branch stars obtained from the DENIS and 2MASS data with theoretical distributions.
Methods.Theoretical Ks magnitude distributions have been constructed using up-to-date stellar evolution calculations for low- and intermediate-mass stars, and in particular for thermally pulsing asymptotic giant branch stars. Separate fits of the magnitude distributions of carbon- and oxygen-rich stars allowed us to constrain the metallicity distribution across the galaxy and its star formation rate.
Results.The Small Magellanic Cloud
stellar population is found to be on average Gyr old but older
stars are present at its
periphery and younger stars are present in the direction of the
companion galaxy the Large Magellanic Cloud.
The metallicity distribution traces a ring-like structure that is more metal rich than the inner region of the galaxy.
Conclusions.The C/M ratio discussed in Paper I is a tracer of the metallicity distribution only if the underlying stellar population is of intermediate-age.
Key words: stars: late-type / stars: luminosity function, mass function / Galaxy: abundances / galaxies: Magellanic Clouds
© ESO, 2006
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