Distribution within a group of stars of the ratio of iron to hydrogen in a star
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]
^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. (2002). "The Metallicity Distribution Function of omega Centauri". Omega Centauri. 265: 143. arXiv:astro-ph/0112169. Bibcode:2002ASPC..265..143F.
^Beers, Timothy C; 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). "The Metallicity Distribution Function of the Halo of the Milky Way". Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union. 1: 175–183. arXiv:astro-ph/0508423. Bibcode:2005IAUS..228..175B. doi:10.1017/S1743921305005521. S2CID18380786.
^Schlesinger, Katharine J; 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). "The Metallicity Distribution Functions of SEGUE G and K dwarfs: Constraints for Disk Chemical Evolution and Formation". The Astrophysical Journal. 761 (2): 160. arXiv:1112.2214. Bibcode:2012ApJ...761..160S. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/761/2/160. S2CID119205318.
^Yong, David; Norris, John E.; Bessell, M. S.; Christlieb, N.; Asplund, M.; Beers, Timothy C.; Barklem, P. S.; Frebel, Anna; Ryan, S. G. (1 January 2013). "The Most Metal-Poor Stars. III. The Metallicity Distribution Function and CEMP Fraction". The Astrophysical Journal. 762 (1): 27. arXiv:1208.3016. Bibcode:2013ApJ...762...27Y. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/762/1/27. S2CID16930550.
