Bayesian hierarchical modelling of initial-final mass relations across star clusters
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The initial–final mass relation (IFMR) of white dwarfs (WDs) plays an important role in stellar evolution. To derive precise estimates of IFMRs and explore how they may vary among star clusters, we propose a Bayesian hierarchical model that pools photometric data from multiple star clusters. After performing a simulation study to show the benefits of the Bayesian hierarchical model, we apply this model to five star clusters: the Hyades, M67, NGC 188, NGC 2168, and NGC 2477, leading to reasonable and consistent estimates of IFMRs for these clusters. We illustrate how a cluster-specific analysis of NGC 188 using its own photometric data can produce an unreasonable IFMR since its WDs have a narrow range of zero-age main sequence (ZAMS) masses. However, the Bayesian hierarchical model corrects the cluster-specific analysis by borrowing strength from other clusters, thus generating more reliable estimates of IFMR parameters. The data analysis presents the benefits of Bayesian hierarchical modelling over conventional cluster-specific methods, which motivates us to elaborate the powerful statistical techniques in this paper.
Date Issued
2018-10-01
Date Acceptance
2018-07-16
Citation
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2018, 480 (1), pp.1300-1321
ISSN
0035-8711
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Start Page
1300
End Page
1321
Journal / Book Title
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume
480
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000442567900086&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Astronomy & Astrophysics
methods: statistical
techniques: photometric
methods: data analysis
globular clusters: individual
COLOR-MAGNITUDE DIAGRAMS
M35 NGC 2168
WHITE-DWARFS
STELLAR EVOLUTION
HYADES
AGE
CALIBRATION
PARAMETERS
PHOTOMETRY
DISTANCE
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-07-19