3 things they don't tell you about star clusters (1908.02301v1)

Abstract: Dense stellar systems in general and star clusters in particular have recently regained the interest of the extragalactic and even cosmology communities, due to the role they could play as actors and probes of re-ionization, galactic archeology and the dark matter content of galaxies, among many others. In the era of the exploitation and the preparation of large stellar surveys (Gaia, APOGEE, 4MOST, WEAVE), of the detection of gravitational waves mostly originating from dense regions like the cores of clusters (Ligo, LISA), and in an always more holistic view of galaxy formation (HARMONI, Euclid, LSST, soon to be known as the Vera Rubin Survey Telescope, VRST), a complete theory on the formation and evolution of clusters is needed to interpret the on-going and forthcoming data avalanche. In this context, the community carries an effort to model the aspects of star cluster formation and evolution in galactic and even cosmological context. However, it is not always easy to understand the caveats and the shortcuts taken in theories and simulations, and their implications on the conclusions drawn. I take the opportunity of this document to highlight three of these topics and discuss why some shortcuts taken by the community are or could be misleading.

• The paper challenges the analogy between young massive clusters and globular clusters, emphasizing distinct formation conditions across cosmic epochs.
• It identifies limitations in current galaxy simulations that underresolve key dynamical interactions, notably tidal shocks influencing mass-loss.
• The study reveals a discrepancy between cluster formation and star formation rates, underscoring the need for revised astrophysical models.

Critical Perspectives on Star Cluster Formation and Evolution

The paper by Florent Renaud presents an analytical discourse on the complexities of understanding star cluster formation and evolution, especially within the context of galactic and cosmological frameworks. Through a targeted examination of three central aspects, the paper casts light on some conventional assumptions and methodological shortcuts that may skew our understanding of these celestial structures.

Young Massive Clusters and Globular Clusters

Renaud challenges the purported analogy between Young Massive Clusters (YMCs) and young globular clusters. While YMCs provide a promising avenue for studying star formation due to their accessibility, the paper highlights significant contextual differences between local YMCs and high-redshift globular clusters. It draws attention to the diverse environments at various cosmic times, suggesting that the initial conditions and processes for cluster formation differ substantially between epochs. The universal nature of the present-day Globular Cluster Mass Function (GCMF) contradicts the simplistic scaling of YMC dynamics to high-redshift conditions, arguing for a more nuanced understanding of the initial mass function's variability influenced by environmental factors.

Capturing Cluster Mass-Loss and Dissolution

The paper further explores the limitations of current galaxy simulations in capturing cluster mass-loss and dissolution processes. It emphasizes the inadequacy of current simulations in resolving the small-scale dynamical interactions, notably tidal shocks, that significantly influence cluster evolution. The need for higher-resolution simulations that can accurately represent the dense, small-scale interstellar medium (ISM) structures is underscored as crucial for improving the predictive capabilities regarding cluster survival. Relevant studies, such as those that attempt higher resolutions, provide preliminary insights but fall short of capturing the complete dynamical interactions necessary for comprehensive mass-loss modeling.

Discrepancy between Cluster Formation Rate and Star Formation Rate

The third aspect tackled is the misalignment between the Cluster Formation Rate (CFR) and the Star Formation Rate (SFR). The paper examines cases where new stellar generations within existing clusters fail to contribute to increased CFR, such as in the context of multiple stellar populations within globular clusters, or in scenarios involving nuclear star clusters amplified by galactic mergers. This highlights the complexity of tracking cluster formation dynamics over time and across environments, suggesting that certain stellar formation processes may not necessarily align with cluster genesis metrics.

Implications and Future Directions

The paper poses critical implications, both theoretically and observationally, for the field of astrophysics. It challenges the existing frameworks and calls for a re-evaluation of models that link YMCs to early globular clusters. Future investigations should aim at integrating higher fidelity simulations with robust theoretical models that account for the diverse array of astrophysical processes affecting cluster formation and evolution. An improved understanding of the cosmic evolution of the ISM, coupled with insights from upcoming surveys, could significantly enhance the theoretical models used today.

The discourse serves as a reminder of the complexities inherent in astrophysical modeling and the need for caution in drawing parallels across disparate cosmic environments. As the field progresses toward more detailed and accurate simulations, this paper will remain an essential reference for those examining the intricate processes governing star cluster evolution across the universe.