THE MASS FUNCTION OF THE PLEIADES DOWN TO 0.3M(CIRCLE-DOT)

The luminosity function of the Pleiades is studied down to M(v) approx imate to 12(m) upon the basis of a proper motion survey over 16.5 squa re degrees. The incompleteness due to several selection effects is tak en into account. The conversion from the luminosity function into the mass function is discussed at length. Although this study includes qui te a large number of new faint Pleiades member candidates, the resulti ng mass function turns over at about 1 M(circle dot), becoming shallow er at lower masses. Within the uncertainties, the Pleiades mass functi on resembles the field star initial mass function for the mass range o f the present study.