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The influence of close binary evolution on the age determination of starburst regions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 May 2016

Joris Van Bever
Affiliation:
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
H. Belkus
Affiliation:
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
Dany Vanbeveren
Affiliation:
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
Walter van Rensbergen
Affiliation:
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium

Abstract

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Using a population number synthesis code and detailed massive star evolutionary calculations, we investigate the effect of close binary evolution on Hα and Hβ emission-line strength variation in starburst regions. The Hβ line strength especially, is considered as a good age indicator. We demonstrate that the formation of rejuvenated accretion stars (Blue Stragglers) through RLOF lengthens the life-time of the Hβ flux and makes the age determination of a starburst regions ambiguous. We separately calculate the effect of Wolf-Rayet stars and of X-ray binaries on Hα and Hβ and conclude that both are of minor importance.

Type
Part 5. Wolf-Rayet stars and other massive stars in starburst galaxies: the case of Wolf-Rayet galaxies (integrated spectra)
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of the Pacific 1999 

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