Abstract
Sellgren has shown that the young stellar cluster within the molecular cloud associated with the reflection nebula NGC 2023 has a luminosity function consistent with the Salpeter IMF for stars brighter than K = 12 mag; extrapolation predicts that approximately 50 additional stars brighter than K = 15 mag, arguably of spectral types G through K, should be present. However, images of the cluster using a sensitive, two-dimensional, infrared array reveal no additional cluster members, which suggests that either no low-mass stars have formed or that they are still heavily shrouded in molecular "cocoons" left over from the star formation process. We propose a straightforward experimental resolution of the alternatives.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | L55-L58 |
Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
Volume | 356 |
Issue number | 2 PART 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 20 1990 |
Externally published | Yes |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science
Keywords
- Stars: formation
- Stars: pre-main-sequence