Mass Segregation of Embedded Clusters in the Milky Way

TL;DR

This study introduces a new method to analyze mass segregation in embedded clusters using 2MASS data, revealing that most clusters are mass-segregated with massive stars near the center, enhancing understanding of early cluster evolution.

Contribution

A novel approach to quantify mass segregation in embedded clusters using 2MASS data, applied to eighteen clusters for new insights.

Findings

11 out of 18 clusters are mass-segregated

No clusters show inverse mass segregation

Most clusters exhibit central concentration of massive stars

Abstract

Embedded clusters are ideal laboratories to understand the early phase of the dynamical evolution of clusters as well as the massive star formation. An interesting observational phenomenon is that some of the embedded clusters show mass segregation, i.e., the most massive stars are preferentially found near the cluster center. In this paper, we develop a new approach to describe mass segregation. Using this approach and the Two Micron All Sky Survey Point Source Catalog (2MASS PSC), we analyze eighteen embedded clusters in the Galaxy. We find that eleven of them are mass-segregated and that the others are non-mass-segregated. No inversely mass-segregated cluster is found.