2009/08/01 by Richard de Grijs
Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies #Cluster (spacecraft) #Field (mathematics) #Initial mass function #Star (game theory) #Star cluster #Star formation #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #Substructure #astro-ph.GA #astro-ph.SR
paper · pdf · doi:10.1017/s174392130999086x
9 pages, 3 figures. Review talk. To appear in Proc. IAU Symp. 266 (Star clusters), eds. R. de Grijs and J. Lepine
openalex publication_date 2009/08/01 · arxiv created 2009/09/12 · arxiv updated 2015/05/14 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Abstract In spite of significant recent and ongoing research efforts, most of the early evolution and long-term fate of young massive star clusters remain clouded in uncertainties. Here, I discuss our understanding of the initial conditions of star cluster formation and the importance of initial substructure for the subsequent dynamical-evolution and mass-segregation timescales. I also assess our current understanding of the (initial) binary fraction in star clusters and the shape of the stellar initial mass function at the low-mass end in the low-metallicity environment of the Large Magellanic Cloud. Finally, I question the validity of our assumptions leading to dynamical cluster mass estimates. I conclude that it seems imperative that observers, modellers and theorists combine efforts and exchange ideas and data freely for the field to make a major leap forward.