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The Young and the Massive: Stars at the upper end of the Initial Mass Function

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 July 2017

Saida M. Caballero-Nieves
Affiliation:
Department of Physics & Space Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology 150 West University Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA email: scaballero@fit.edu Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield RD Sheffield S3 7RH, United Kingdom
P. A. Crowther
Affiliation:
Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield RD Sheffield S3 7RH, United Kingdom
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Abstract

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The upper mass limit of stars remains an open question in astrophysics. Here we discuss observations of the most massive stars (greater than 100 solar masses) in the local universe and how the observations fit in with theoretical predictions. In particular, the Large Magellanic Cloud plays host to numerous very massive stars, making it an ideal template to study the roles that environment, metallicity, and multiplicity play in the formation and evolution of the most massive stars. We will discuss the work that is instrumental in laying the groundwork for interpreting future observations by James Webb of starburst regions in the high redshift universe.

Type
Contributed Papers
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2017 

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