Star cluster evolution: from young massive star clusters to old globulars

Richard de Grijs*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Young, massive star clusters are the most notable and significant end products of violent star-forming episodes triggered by galaxy collisions, mergers, 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 globular cluster (GC)-type objects. However, because of the lack of a statistically significant sample of similar nearby objects 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. Despite the difficulties inherent to addressing this issue conclusively, an ever increasing body of observational evidence lends support to the scenario that GCs, which were once thought to be the oldest building blocks of galaxies, are still forming today.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationGlobular Clusters - Guides to Galaxies
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the Joint ESO-FONDAP Workshop on Globular Clusters
Pages353-356
Number of pages4
Volume2009
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes
EventESO-FONDAP Workshop on Globular Clusters (2006) - Concepcion, Chile
Duration: 6 Mar 200610 Mar 2006

Publication series

NameESO Astrophysics Symposia
Volume2009
ISSN (Print)1431-2433
ISSN (Electronic)1611-6143

Conference

ConferenceESO-FONDAP Workshop on Globular Clusters (2006)
Country/TerritoryChile
CityConcepcion
Period6/03/0610/03/06

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