Mass functions for eight nearby galactic clusters

Mass functions for eight nearby galactic clusters have been obtained using proper-motion membership probabilities. Based on the magnitude dependence of the membership-probability parameter in the exponent of the cluster surface-density term, the mass functions have been corrected for outlying cluster stars which were not observed. Six of the clusters are found to possess a composite mass function slope of -1.97 + or - 0.17 for mass to solar mass ratios of between 1.1 and 2.5. The present result is consistent with that obtained for the field star IMF, where a linear fit to the mass function yields a slope of -2.00 + or - 0.18 for mass to solar mass ratios of between 0.8 and 18.