Bayesian ages of local young stellar associations I. Through the expansion rate method

TL;DR

This paper uses a Bayesian expansion rate method to estimate the ages of local young stellar associations, revealing new substructures and reconciling previous age discrepancies with literature estimates.

Contribution

It provides the largest homogeneous set of ages for LYSAs using a Bayesian expansion rate approach, identifying hidden associations and clarifying age tensions.

Findings

Rediscovered three known associations

Discovered four new associations

Found expansion ages consistent with literature

Abstract

Context. Local young stellar associations (LYSAs <50 Myr and <150 pc) are important laboratories to test predictions from star-formation theories. Estimating their ages through various dating techniques with minimal biases is thus of paramount importance. Aims. We aim at determining the ages of LYSAs with the expansion rate dating technique. Methods. We estimate the ages of the LYSAs using literature membership lists, publicly available data (astrometry and radial velocities), and a recent open-source Bayesian code that implements the expansion rate method. This code in combination with simple statistical assumptions allow us to decontaminate, identify possible substructures or populations, and estimate expansion ages. Results. We derive the largest and most methodological homogeneous set of ages of LYSAs. We rediscover three and discover four associations hidden within the literature membership lists of the classical ones. Conclusions. The expansion ages we report here are compatible with literature age estimates. Moreover, our analysis shows that previous age tensions can be explained, in most cases, by the presence of unidentified populations or substructures.