Ab. Fletcher et Sw. Stahler, THE LUMINOSITY FUNCTIONS OF EMBEDDED STELLAR CLUSTERS .2. NUMERICAL RESULTS, The Astrophysical journal, 435(1), 1994, pp. 329-338
We use the theory developed previously to calculate the evolving lumin
osity functions of very young stellar clusters. The luminosity functio
n of the protostars alone quickly attains a characteristic, sharply pe
aked shape, which it maintains throughout the time of cluster formatio
n. For the pre-main-sequence stars, the function continually changes b
ut displays a pronounced ''step'' near a luminosity of 10 L. for a pro
longed period. At most times, the vast majority of cluster members are
pre-main-sequence stars. However, the total cluster luminosity is dom
inated first by the protostellar and later by the main-sequence compon
ent. At these late times, it is the brightest stars which reach the ma
in sequence first. Finally, a preliminary application of our model to
the rho Ophiuchi embedded cluster indicates that star formation has pr
oceeded in that region for 1 x 10(6) yr.