The formation of young massive clusters by colliding flows
ABSTRACT Young massive clusters (YMCs) are the most intense regions of star formation in galaxies. Formulating a model for YMC formation while at the same time meeting the constraints from observations is, however, highly challenging. We show that forming YMCs requires clouds with densities ≳ 100 cm...
Gespeichert in:
Veröffentlicht in: | Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Letters 2020-07, Vol.496 (1), p.L1-L5 |
---|---|
Hauptverfasser: | , , |
Format: | Artikel |
Sprache: | eng |
Online-Zugang: | Volltext bestellen |
Tags: |
Tag hinzufügen
Keine Tags, Fügen Sie den ersten Tag hinzu!
|
Zusammenfassung: | ABSTRACT
Young massive clusters (YMCs) are the most intense regions of star formation in galaxies. Formulating a model for YMC formation while at the same time meeting the constraints from observations is, however, highly challenging. We show that forming YMCs requires clouds with densities ≳ 100 cm−3 to collide with high velocities (≳ 20 km s−1). We present the first simulations which, starting from moderate cloud densities of ∼100 cm−3, are able to convert a large amount of mass into stars over a time period of around 1 Myr, to produce dense massive clusters similar to those observed. Such conditions are commonplace in more extreme environments, where YMCs are common, but atypical for our Galaxy, where YMCs are rare. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 1745-3925 1745-3933 |
DOI: | 10.1093/mnrasl/slaa072 |