Formation of the Galaxy and cosmochronology

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · American Astronomical Society, Bulletin; (United States)

OSTI ID:6937249

Mathews, G J ^[1]; Schramm, D N ^[2]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, CA (United States)
2. Univ. of Chicago, IL (United States)

The authors construct a schematic model for the formation and evolution of the Galaxy based upon the multiple mergers of protogalactic clouds within the expanding and collapsing halo. Bursts of star formation associated with the mergers lead naturally to a star formation rate in which the largest bursts of star formation can be delayed by several billion years relative to the formation of the oldest globular clusters. They analyze various cosmochronometers in the context of this model and show that the apparent differences between the maximum globular-cluster ages, the white-dwarf cooling age, and nuclear chronometric ages can all be reproduced. The merger models which satisfy the age constraints imply a relatively late forming peak in luminosity and therefore nay be consistent with the observed peak in galaxy number counts at intermediate red shifts. Variants of the model could even yield significant dark baryonic halos.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6937249
• Journal Information: American Astronomical Society, Bulletin; (United States), Journal Name: American Astronomical Society, Bulletin; (United States) Vol. 24:2; ISSN AASBAR; ISSN 0002-7537
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661300* -- Other Aspects of Physical Science-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AGE ESTIMATION
COSMIC GASES
COSMOLOGICAL MODELS
DATA ANALYSIS
DWARF STARS
FLUIDS
GALACTIC EVOLUTION
GALAXIES
GASES
GRAVITATIONAL COLLAPSE
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MILKY WAY
STAR CLUSTERS
STAR EVOLUTION
STARS
WHITE DWARF STARS