The recent star formation history of the Hipparcos solar neighbourhood

X. Hernandez; David Valls-Gabaud; Gerard Gilmore

doi:10.1046/j.1365-8711.2000.03537.x

paper

The recent star formation history of the Hipparcos solar neighbourhood

arXiv:astro-ph/0003113 · doi:10.1046/j.1365-8711.2000.03537.x

Abstract

We use data from the Hipparcos catalogue to construct colour-magnitude diagrams for the solar neighbourhood, which are then treated using advanced Bayesian analysis techniques to derive the star formation history, $S F R (t)$ , of this region over the last 3 Gyr. The method we use allows the recovery of the underlying $S F R (t)$ without the need of assuming any {\it a priori} structure or condition on $S F R (t)$ , and hence yields a highly objective result. The remarkable accuracy of the data permits the reconstruction of the local $S F R (t)$ with an unprecedented time resolution of $\approx 50$ Myr. A $S F R (t)$ having an oscillatory component of period $\approx 0.5$ Gyr is found, superimposed on a small level of constant star formation activity. Problems arising from the non-uniform selection function of the Hipparcos satellite are discussed and treated. Detailed statistical tests are then performed on the results, which confirm the inferred $S F R (t)$ to be compatible with the observed distribution of stars.

9 pages including figures, MNRAS in press

The recent star formation history of the Hipparcos solar neighbourhood

Abstract

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