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“Super” Star Clusters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 March 2016

Richard de Grijs
Richard de Grijs*
Affiliation:
Department of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield S3 7RH, UK

Abstract

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The production of “super star clusters” (SSCs; luminous, compact star clusters) seems to be a hallmark of intense star formation, particularly in interacting and star-burst galaxies. Their sizes, luminosities, and mass estimates are entirely consistent with what is expected for young Milky Way-type globular clusters (GCs). SSCs are important because of what they can tell us about GC formation and evolution (e.g., initial characteristics and early survival rates). They are also of prime importance as probes of the formation and (chemical) evolution of their host galaxies, and of the initial mass function in the extreme environments required for cluster formation. Recent evidence lends support to the scenario that Milky Way-type GCs (although more metal rich), which were once thought to be the oldest building blocks of galaxies, are still forming today.

Type
I. Joint Discussions
Information
Highlights of Astronomy , Volume 13 , 2005 , pp. 363 - 365
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of Pacific 2005

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