The distribution of N, the number of OB stars per association or cluster, appears to follow a universal power-law form (N)^-2^ in the local universe. We evaluate the distribution of N in the Small Magellanic Cloud using recent broadband optical and space-ultraviolet data, with special attention to the lowest values of N. We find that the power-law distribution in N continues smoothly down to N=1. This strongly suggests that the formation of field massive stars is a continuous process with those in associations and that the field stars do not originate from a different star formation mode.
Cone search capability for table J/AJ/127/1632/table2 (Groups from the candidate OB sample)
Cone search capability for table J/AJ/127/1632/table3 (Groups from the candidate O-star sample)
Cone search capability for table J/AJ/127/1632/table4 (Group Membership for the Candidate OB Sample)
Cone search capability for table J/AJ/127/1632/table5 (Group Membership for the Candidate O Star Sample)