The mass function of stars at birth

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This project aims to answer three questions surrounding the birth of stars: What determines the mass of stars when they are born in our Galaxy, the so-called Initial Mass Function (IMF)? How does the IMF depend on the physical properties of the gas cloud in which stars form? By what amount do outflows and jets reduce the mean stellar mass and determine the shape of the IMF? It is expected that the project will generate the most realistic computer simulations of the formation of star clusters to date, with relevance to galaxy formation and evolution. The simulations may also provide the initial conditions for understanding exo-planet formation.