The star-formation history in the vicinity of NGC 1866 in the large magellanic cloud

Benjamin W. Stappers, Jeremy R. Mould, Kim M. Sebo, Jon A. Holtzman, John S. Gallagher, Alan M. Watson, Gilda E. Ballester, Christopher J. Burrows, Stefano Casertano, John T. Clarke, David Crisp, Richard E. Griffiths, J. Jeff Hester, John G. Hoessel, Paul A. Scowen, Karl R. Stapelfeldt, John T. Trauger, James A. Westphal

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    To expand on the recent single WFPC2 field obtained in the vicinity of this cluster, we have measured the luminosity function in a one-third by one-half degree field in the LMC with the 40-in. telescope at Siding Spring Observatory. Combining our results with recent 4-m and WFPC2 observations, we examine the constraints on the star-formation history of the field from 108 to 1010 years ago. The simple model derived from the WFPC2 data with an increase in the star-formation rate ∼3 Gyr ago fits the combined data. However, this rate increase seems to have been unique. This event notwithstanding, the smooth luminosity function from V = 16 to V = 22 suggests steady star formation rather than a star-formation history dominated by intense bursts.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)292-296
    Number of pages4
    JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
    Volume109
    Issue number733
    Publication statusPublished - Mar 1997

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