Star clusters in the clouds of Magellan

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/169732· OSTI ID:5702600

Van den Bergh, S ^[1]

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1. Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Victoria (Canada)

Star clusters in the LMC and SMC are compared with those in the Galaxy. It is shown that Cloud clusters have radii about three times larger than those of comparable Galactic clusters, and it is speculated that this difference may be due to the fact that Cloud clusters formed in a lower density environment than Galactic clusters. Young clusters in the Clouds seem to remain embedded in the remnants of associations for extended periods because tidal forces in the Clouds are weaker than they are in the Galaxy. Luminous clusters of all ages in the Clouds are on average significantly flatter than Galactic clusters. The LMC is surrounded by at least seven real globular cluster with ages greater than 10 Gyr whereas the SMC has only one such companion. These clusters have luminosities and mass-to-light ratios similar to those of Galactic clusters. In both Clouds old clusters are more widely distributed than are younger clusters. 184 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5702600
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 369; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AGE ESTIMATION
BASIC INTERACTIONS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONFIGURATION
DISTRIBUTION
ELLIPTICAL CONFIGURATION
ENVIRONMENT
GALAXIES
GRAVITATIONAL INTERACTIONS
INTERACTIONS
LUMINOSITY
MAGELLANIC CLOUDS
MILKY WAY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
STAR CLUSTERS
STAR EVOLUTION