2006/09/25 by N. Bastian, Nate Bastian, Bastian, Nate +2 · 1 citation
Computer Science · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Physics and Astronomy · #Astrophysics (astro-ph) #Complex Systems and Time Series Analysis #FOS: Physical sciences #Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.astro-ph/0609669
14 pages, 8 figures. Invited Review. To appear in "Mass loss from stars and the evolution of stellar clusters". Proc. of a workshop held in honour of H.J.G.L.M. Lamers, Lunteren, The Netherlands. Eds. A. de Koter, L. Smith and R. Waters (San Francisco: ASP)
openalex publication_date 2006/09/25 · arxiv created 2006/10/13 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We review the theory and observations of star cluster disruption. The three main phases and corresponding typical timescales of cluster disruption are: I) Infant Mortality (~107 yr), II) Stellar Evolution (~108 yr) and III) Tidal relaxation (~109 yr). During all three phases there are additional tidal external perturbations from the host galaxy. In this review we focus on the physics and observations of Phase I and on population studies of Phases II & III and external perturbations concentrating on cluster-GMC interactions. Particular attention is given to the successes and short-comings of the Lamers cluster disruption law, which has recently been shown to stand on a firm physical footing.