Toward a more consistent evolution model for the local galactic disk

Abstract

AbstractInfall models for the evolution of the local galactic disk were studied and confronted with a large number of observational constraints from the solar vicinity, inclusive of the white dwarf luminosity function. The models are characterized as follows: 1. The key‐functions (SFR, IMF, gas infall rate) are not prescribed by simple laws, but are directly derived from observational constraints. 2. A scatter in the metallicity at fixed age is considered which partly reflects inhomogeous chemical evolution. 3. Special attention is drawn to the internal consistency of the models. 4. In addition to infall of low‐metallicity gas, metal‐enriched outflows are allowed. The “best” model is characterized by a disk age of ≈︁ 12 Gyr, a SFR which is decreasing over the first half and is nearly constant over the second half of the disk evolution, and by a similar temporal run of the gas infall rate. Moderate metal‐enriched outflow can not be excluded.