Modeling the Evolution of Embedded Star Clusters

Groups of stars (star clusters) that we see throughout the Universe form inside giant clouds of molecular gas inside galaxies. After a few million years, clusters can disperse surrounding gas through a combination of stellar winds, radiation, and supernovae, making them easier to observe (stellar feedback). While clusters are embedded inside molecular clouds, it is difficult for observations to determine their dynamics or spatial distribution. I will perform numerical simulations of young clusters that are still embedded inside their host molecular clouds. My simulations will model the evolution of the stars and gas in the cluster while including effects from stellar feedback. I will focus on the growth of small star clusters, through cluster mergers, and gas accretion, into more massive. My work will be the first to analyze the dynamical imprint of mergers and gas accretion on young clusters. I will compare these results to observations of older clusters to constrain their formation mechanisms. This work will result in at least one paper published to the Astrophysical Journal.

Faculty Supervisor:

Alison Sills

Student:

Partner:

The University of Tokyo

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Education

University:

McMaster University

Program: