Poster abstract
A variation of the IMF in ultra-compact dwarf galaxies?
Abstract
I will give a summary over our ongoing projects to test for a
variation of the IMF in ultra-compact dwarf galaxies. Those objects,
intermediate between star clusters and dwarf galaxies, exhibit
dynamical M/L ratios on average ~30-50% above predictions from stellar
populations models assuming a canonical IMF. I will review the
possibilities to observationally verify either a bottom- or top-heavy
IMF in UCDs, and how to distinguish this from the possibility of
'cosmological' dark matter. UCDs are presumably formed in extremely
dense environments under enourmous radiation densities, and are thus
well suited laboratories for testing the (non-)universality of the IMF.
variation of the IMF in ultra-compact dwarf galaxies. Those objects,
intermediate between star clusters and dwarf galaxies, exhibit
dynamical M/L ratios on average ~30-50% above predictions from stellar
populations models assuming a canonical IMF. I will review the
possibilities to observationally verify either a bottom- or top-heavy
IMF in UCDs, and how to distinguish this from the possibility of
'cosmological' dark matter. UCDs are presumably formed in extremely
dense environments under enourmous radiation densities, and are thus
well suited laboratories for testing the (non-)universality of the IMF.