Metallicity distribution function explained

The metallicity distribution function is an important concept in stellar and galactic evolution. It is a curve of what proportion of stars have a particular metallicity ([Fe/H], the relative abundance of iron and hydrogen) of a population of stars such as in a cluster or galaxy.^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]}

MDFs are used to test different theories of galactic evolution. Much of the iron in a star will have come from earlier type Ia supernovae. Other [alpha] metals can be produced in core collapse supernovae.^{[8] [9]}

Notes and References

1. Fenner . Yeshe . Gibson . Brad K. . Deriving the Metallicity Distribution Function of Galactic Systems . Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia . 5 March 2013 . 20 . 2 . 189–195 . 10.1071/AS02047 . astro-ph/0304320 . 2003PASA...20..189F . 9965955 .
2. Casagrande . L. . Schönrich . R. . Asplund . M. . Cassisi . S. . Ramírez . I. . Meléndez . J. . Bensby . T. . Feltzing . S.. Sofia Feltzing . New constraints on the chemical evolution of the solar neighbourhood and Galactic disc(s) . Astronomy & Astrophysics . 26 May 2011 . 530 . A138 . 10.1051/0004-6361/201016276 . 1103.4651 . 2011A&A...530A.138C . 56118016 .
3. Frinchaboy. P. M.. Rhee. J.. Ostheimer. J. C.. Majewski. S. R.. Patterson. R. J.. Johnson. W. Y.. Dinescu. D. I.. Palma. C.. Westfall. K. B.. The Metallicity Distribution Function of omega Centauri. Omega Centauri. 2002. 265. 143. astro-ph/0112169 . 2002ASPC..265..143F.
4. astro-ph/0508423 . Beers . Timothy C . The Metallicity Distribution Function of the Halo of the Milky Way . Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union . 1 . 175–183 . Christlieb . Norbert . Norris . John E . Bessell . Michael S . Wilhelm . Ronald . Carlos Allende Prieto . Yanny . Brian . Rockosi . Constance . Heidi Jo Newberg . Rossi . Silvia . Young Sun Lee . 2005 . 10.1017/S1743921305005521. 2005IAUS..228..175B . 18380786 .
5. astro-ph/0506653 . Sarajedini . Ata . The Metallicity Distribution Function of Field Stars in M31's Bulge . The Astronomical Journal . 130 . 4 . 1627–1634 . Jablonka . Pascale . 2005 . 10.1086/433171. 2005AJ....130.1627S . 17051527 .
6. 1112.2214 . Schlesinger . Katharine J . The Metallicity Distribution Functions of SEGUE G and K dwarfs: Constraints for Disk Chemical Evolution and Formation . The Astrophysical Journal . 761 . 2 . 160 . Johnson . Jennifer A . Rockosi . Constance M . Young Sun Lee . Morrison . Heather L . Schoenrich . Ralph . Carlos Allende Prieto . Beers . Timothy C . Yanny . Brian . Harding . Paul . Schneider . Donald P . Chiappini . Cristina . da Costa . Luiz N . Maia . Marcio A. G . Minchev . Ivan . Rocha-Pinto . Helio . Santiago . Basilio X . 2011 . 10.1088/0004-637X/761/2/160. 2012ApJ...761..160S . 119205318 .
7. The Most Metal-Poor Stars. III. The Metallicity Distribution Function and CEMP Fraction . The Astrophysical Journal . David . Yong . John E. . Norris . M. S. . Bessell . N. . Christlieb . M. . Asplund . Timothy C. . Beers . P. S. . Barklem . Anna . Frebel . S. G. . Ryan . 1 January 2013 . 762 . 1 . 27 . 10.1088/0004-637X/762/1/27 . 1208.3016 . 2013ApJ...762...27Y . 16930550 .
8. Web site: Chemical evolution models . bas.bg . 3 March 2017.
9. 1106.2168 . The [Fe/H], [C/Fe], and [alpha/Fe] distributions of the Bootes I Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy |journal=The Astrophysical Journal |volume=738 |pages=51 |last1= Lai |first1=David K. |author2=Young Sun Lee |last3=Bolte |first3=Michael |last4=Lucatello |first4=Sara |last5= Beers |first5=Timothy C. |last6= Johnson |first6=Jennifer A. |last7=Sivarani |first7=Thirupathi |last8= Rockosi |first8=Constance M. |author-link8=Constance M. Rockosi |year=2011 |issue=1 |doi=10.1088/0004-637X/738/1/51 |bibcode = 2011ApJ...738...51L |s2cid=118627008 }}

   Further reading

   • McWilliam, Andrew. (2003). Abundance ratios and galactic chemical evolution. Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics. 35. 503–556. .
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