Hierarchical Structure of Star-Forming Regions in the Local Group

  • Published : 2014.10.13

Abstract

Hierarchical structure of star-forming regions is widespread and may be characteristic of all star formation. We studied the hierarchical structure of star-forming regions in the Local Group galaxies (M31, M33, Phoenix, Pegasus, Sextans A, Sextans B, WLM). The star-forming regions were selected from Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) far-UV imaging in various detection thresholds for investigating hierarchical structure. We examined the spatial distribution of the hot massive stars within star-forming regions from Hubble Space Telescope (HST) multi-band photometry. Small compact groups arranged within large complexes. The cumulative mass distribution follows a power law. The results allow us to understand the hierarchical structure of star formation and recent evolution of the Local Group galaxies.

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