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Young massive star clusters: achievements and challenges

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 January 2010

Richard de Grijs*
Affiliation:
Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China email: grijs@kiaa.pku.edu.cn Department of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RH, UK email: R.deGrijs@sheffield.ac.uk National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
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Abstract

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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.

Type
Contributed Papers
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2010

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