scholarly journals Mid-infrared [NeII] Imaging of Young Massive Star Clusters Near Galactic Nuclei

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (S316) ◽  
pp. 161-162
Author(s):  
Sherry C. C. Yeh ◽  
Chao-Wei Tsai ◽  
Thomas R. Geballe ◽  
Cinthya N. Herrera
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Massive Star ◽  
Cluster Formation ◽  
Star Clusters ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Mid Infrared ◽  
Ngc 6946 ◽  
Formation Efficiency ◽  
Massive Clusters

AbstractWe investigate the formation of young massive clusters near the nuclei in NGC 6946, IC 342, Maffei II, and NGC 7714, using ground-based mid-infrared [NeII] imaging. We derive the cluster formation efficiency and cluster mass function, and the results suggest that environmental effects on YMC formation may not be significant.

scholarly journals The life and death of star clusters

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (S237) ◽  
pp. 222-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. C. Whitmore
Keyword(s):  
Massive Star ◽  
Cluster Formation ◽  
Star Clusters ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Initial Mass Function ◽  
Merging Galaxies ◽  
Life And Death ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Super Star Clusters ◽  
Massive Clusters

AbstractIt is generally believed that most stars are born in groups and clusters, rather than in the field. It has also been demonstrated that merging galaxies produce large numbers of young massive star clusters, sometimes called super star clusters. Hence, understanding what triggers the formation of these young massive clusters may provide important information about what triggers the formation of stars in general. In recent years it has become apparent that most clusters do not survive more than ≈10 Myr (i.e., “infant mortality”). Hence, it is just as important to understand the disruption of star clusters as it is to understand their formation if we want to understand the demographics of both star clusters and field stars. This talk will first discuss what triggers star cluster formation in merging galaxies (primarily in the Antennae galaxies), will then demonstrate that most of the faint objects detected in the Antennae are clusters rather than individual stars (which shows that the initial mass function was a power law rather than a Gaussian), and will then outline a general framework designed to empirically fit observations of both star clusters and field stars in a wide variety of galaxies from mergers to quiescent spirals.

scholarly journals The influence of feedback from massive stars on the formation and emergence of massive clusters

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (S316) ◽  
pp. 177-183
Author(s):  
James E. Dale
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Massive Star ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Cluster Structure ◽  
Star Clusters ◽  
Stellar Feedback ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
Formation Efficiency ◽  
Massive Clusters ◽  
Made In

AbstractMassive star clusters are of fundamental importance both observationally, since they are visible at such great distances, and theoretically, because of their influence on the large–scale ISM. Understanding stellar feedback is a prerequisite for making sense of their formation and early evolution, since feedback influences cluster structure, star formation efficiency, and sets the timescales on which clusters emerge from their parent clouds to become optically visible. I review the progress made in understanding these issues from a numerical perspective.

scholarly journals Young massive star clusters: achievements and challenges

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (S266) ◽  
pp. 49-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard de Grijs
Keyword(s):  
Massive Star ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Cluster Formation ◽  
Star Clusters ◽  
Dynamical Evolution ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Initial Mass Function ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Mass Segregation

AbstractIn 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.

scholarly journals Realistic modelling of wind and supernovae shocks in star clusters: addressing 22Ne/20Ne and other problems in Galactic cosmic rays

2020 ◽  
Vol 493 (3) ◽  
pp. 3159-3177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siddhartha Gupta ◽  
Biman B Nath ◽  
Prateek Sharma ◽  
David Eichler
Keyword(s):  
Massive Star ◽  
Star Clusters ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Rays ◽  
Star Cluster ◽  
Stellar Winds ◽  
Isotopic Abundances ◽  
Γ Ray ◽  
Massive Clusters

ABSTRACT Cosmic ray (CR) sources leave signatures in the isotopic abundances of CRs. Current models of Galactic CRs that consider supernovae (SNe) shocks as the main sites of particle acceleration cannot satisfactorily explain the higher 22Ne/20Ne ratio in CRs compared to the interstellar medium. Although stellar winds from massive stars have been invoked, their contribution relative to SNe ejecta has been taken as a free parameter. Here, we present a theoretical calculation of the relative contributions of wind termination shocks (WTSs) and SNe shocks in superbubbles, based on the hydrodynamics of winds in clusters, the standard stellar mass function, and stellar evolution theory. We find that the contribution of WTSs towards the total CR production is at least $25{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$, which rises to $\gtrsim 50{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ for young (≲10 Myr) clusters, and explains the observed 22Ne/20Ne ratio. We argue that since the progenitors of apparently isolated supernovae remnants (SNRs) are born in massive star clusters, both WTS and SNe shocks can be integrated into a combined scenario of CRs being accelerated in massive clusters. This scenario is consistent with the observed ratio of SNRs to γ-ray bright (Lγ ≳ 1035 erg s−1) star clusters, as predicted by star cluster mass function. Moreover, WTSs can accelerate CRs to PeV energies, and solve other long-standing problems of the standard SN paradigm of CR acceleration.

scholarly journals Self-consistent proto-globular cluster formation in cosmological simulations of high-redshift galaxies

2020 ◽  
Vol 493 (3) ◽  
pp. 4315-4332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangcheng Ma ◽  
Michael Y Grudić ◽  
Eliot Quataert ◽  
Philip F Hopkins ◽  
Claude-André Faucher-Giguère ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Star Formation ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Cluster Formation ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Cosmological Simulations ◽  
High Redshift Galaxies ◽  
Cluster Mass ◽  
Formation Efficiency ◽  
Redshift Galaxies

ABSTRACT We report the formation of bound star clusters in a sample of high-resolution cosmological zoom-in simulations of z ≥ 5 galaxies from the Feedback In Realistic Environments project. We find that bound clusters preferentially form in high-pressure clouds with gas surface densities over $10^4\, \mathrm{ M}_{\odot }\, {\rm pc}^{-2}$, where the cloud-scale star formation efficiency is near unity and young stars born in these regions are gravitationally bound at birth. These high-pressure clouds are compressed by feedback-driven winds and/or collisions of smaller clouds/gas streams in highly gas-rich, turbulent environments. The newly formed clusters follow a power-law mass function of dN/dM ∼ M−2. The cluster formation efficiency is similar across galaxies with stellar masses of ∼107–$10^{10}\, \mathrm{ M}_{\odot }$ at z ≥ 5. The age spread of cluster stars is typically a few Myr and increases with cluster mass. The metallicity dispersion of cluster members is ∼0.08 dex in $\rm [Z/H]$ and does not depend on cluster mass significantly. Our findings support the scenario that present-day old globular clusters (GCs) were formed during relatively normal star formation in high-redshift galaxies. Simulations with a stricter/looser star formation model form a factor of a few more/fewer bound clusters per stellar mass formed, while the shape of the mass function is unchanged. Simulations with a lower local star formation efficiency form more stars in bound clusters. The simulated clusters are larger than observed GCs due to finite resolution. Our simulations are among the first cosmological simulations that form bound clusters self-consistently in a wide range of high-redshift galaxies.

scholarly journals From young massive star clusters to old globulars: long-term survival chances

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (S237) ◽  
pp. 408-408
Author(s):  
Richard de Grijs
Keyword(s):  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Massive Star ◽  
Cluster Formation ◽  
Star Clusters ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Distant Galaxies ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Galaxy Collisions

Young, massive star clusters (YMCs) are the most notable and significant end products of violent star-forming episodes triggered by galaxy collisions and close encounters. The question remains, however, whether or not at least a fraction of the compact YMCs seen in abundance in extragalactic starbursts, are potentially the progenitors of (≳10 Gyr) old globular cluster (GC)-type objects. If we could settle this issue convincingly, one way or the other, the implications of such a result would have far-reaching implications for a wide range of astrophysical questions, including our understanding of the process of galaxy formation and assembly, and the process and conditions required for star (cluster) formation. Because of the lack of a statistically significant sample of YMCs in the Local Group, however, we need to resort to either statistical arguments or to the painstaking approach of case-by-case studies of individual objects in more distant galaxies.

scholarly journals The Formation of Massive Stars

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S270) ◽  
pp. 57-64
Author(s):  
Ian A. Bonnell ◽  
Rowan J Smith
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Massive Star ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Cluster Formation ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Prestellar Cores ◽  
Stellar Mergers ◽  
Massive Clusters ◽  
Viable Mechanism

AbstractThere has been considerable progress in our understanding of how massive stars form but still much confusion as to why they form. Recent work from several sources has shown that the formation of massive stars through disc accretion, possibly aided by gravitational and Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities is a viable mechanism. Stellar mergers, on the other hand, are unlikely to occur in any but the most massive clusters and hence should not be a primary avenue for massive star formation. In contrast to this success, we are still uncertain as to how the mass that forms a massive star is accumulated. there are two possible mechanisms including the collapse of massive prestellar cores and competitive accretion in clusters. At present, there are theoretical and observational question marks as to the existence of high-mass prestellar cores. theoretically, such objects should fragment before they can attain a relaxed, centrally condensed and high-mass state necessary to form massive stars. Numerical simulations including cluster formation, feedback and magnetic fields have not found such objects but instead point to the continued accretion in a cluster potential as the primary mechanism to form high-mass stars. Feedback and magnetic fields act to slow the star formation process and will reduce the efficiencies from a purely dynamical collapse but otherwise appear to not significantly alter the process.

scholarly journals Young and intermediate-age massive star clusters

2010 ◽  
Vol 368 (1913) ◽  
pp. 867-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Søren S. Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Star Clusters ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Starburst Galaxies ◽  
Open Clusters ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Power Law Distribution ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Massive Clusters

An overview of our current understanding of the formation and evolution of star clusters is given, with the main emphasis on high-mass clusters. Clusters form deeply embedded within dense clouds of molecular gas. Left-over gas is cleared within a few million years and, depending on the efficiency of star formation, the clusters may disperse almost immediately or remain gravitationally bound. Current evidence suggests that a small percentage of star formation occurs in clusters that remain bound, although it is not yet clear whether this fraction is truly universal. Internal two-body relaxation and external shocks will lead to further, gradual dissolution on time scales of up to a few hundred million years for low-mass open clusters in the Milky Way, while the most massive clusters (>10 5  M ⊙ ) have lifetimes comparable to or exceeding the age of the Universe. The low-mass end of the initial cluster mass function is well approximated by a power-law distribution, , but there is mounting evidence that quiescent spiral discs form relatively few clusters with masses M >2×10 5  M ⊙ . In starburst galaxies and old globular cluster systems, this limit appears to be higher, at least several ×10 6  M ⊙ . The difference is likely related to the higher gas densities and pressures in starburst galaxies, which allow denser, more massive giant molecular clouds to form. Low-mass clusters may thus trace star formation quite universally, while the more long-lived, massive clusters appear to form preferentially in the context of violent star formation.

scholarly journals Star-cluster formation and evolution

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (S237) ◽  
pp. 230-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel Kroupa
Keyword(s):  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Cluster Formation ◽  
Star Clusters ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Cluster Mass ◽  
Cluster Evolution ◽  
Stellar Component ◽  
Galaxy Formation And Evolution ◽  
Dynamical Time ◽  
Formation And Evolution

AbstractStar clusters are observed to form in a highly compact state and with low star-formation efficiencies, and only 10 per cent of all clusters appear to survive to middle- and old-dynamical age. If the residual gas is expelled on a dynamical time the clusters disrupt. Massive clusters may then feed a hot kinematical stellar component into their host-galaxy's field population thereby thickening galactic disks, a process that theories of galaxy formation and evolution need to accommodate. If the gas-evacuation time-scale depends on cluster mass, then a power-law embedded-cluster mass function may transform within a few dozen Myr to a mass function with a turnover near 105M, thereby possibly explaining this universal empirical feature. Discordant empirical evidence on the mass function of star clusters leads to the insight that the physical processes shaping early cluster evolution remain an issue of cutting-edge research.

scholarly journals Modeling Formation of Globular Clusters: Beacons of Galactic Star Formation

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S270) ◽  
pp. 381-384
Author(s):  
Oleg Y. Gnedin
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Globular Cluster ◽  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Cluster Formation ◽  
Star Clusters ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Giant Molecular Clouds ◽  
Early Galaxies ◽  
The Masses

AbstractModern hydrodynamic simulations of galaxy formation are able to predict accurately the rates and locations of the assembly of giant molecular clouds in early galaxies. These clouds could host star clusters with the masses and sizes of real globular clusters. I describe current state-of-the-art simulations aimed at understanding the origin of the cluster mass function and metallicity distribution. Metallicity bimodality of globular cluster systems appears to be a natural outcome of hierarchical formation and gradually declining fraction of cold gas in galaxies. Globular cluster formation was most prominent at redshifts z > 3, when massive star clusters may have contributed as much as 20% of all galactic star formation.

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