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Metallicity distribution function

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The Metallicity distribution function is an important concept in stellar and galactic evolution. It is a curve of what proportion of stars have a particular metallicity ([Fe/H], the relative abundance of iron and hydrogen) of a population of stars such as in a cluster or galaxy.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

MDFs are used to test different theories of galactic evolution. Much of the iron in a star will have come from earlier type 1a supernovae. Other [alpha] metals can be produced in core collapse supernovae.[7][8]

References