A snapshot survey of rich stellar clusters in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds

Details A snapshot survey of rich stellar clusters in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds A snapshot survey of rich stellar clusters in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds

Jul 2003

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003hst..prop.9891g&link_type=abstract

HST Proposal ID #9891

Statistics

Applications

Hst Proposal Id #9891 Stellar Populations

Scientific paper

Rich stellar clusters are vital to a wide variety of astrophysical research, from stellar evolution studies to the formation and evolution of galaxies. In this context, it is important to understand how rich star clusters form and evolve. The cluster systems in the LMC and SMC are particularly important in achieving this, because they are the only systems which contain clusters at all stages of evolution while being close enough to be studied as fully resolved stellar populations - although in general this requires the capabilities of HST. We have recently investigated the structural evolution of LMC and SMC clusters using archival WFPC2 data, and demonstrated a dramatic trend in the sizes of these clusters with age. We have shown that this trend likely represents genuine structural evolution in these clusters, although it is not clear whether we are observing a dynamical process or the signature of changing formation conditions. This result has implications for all astronomical research involving massive stellar clusters. To develop this work further requires the extension of our two samples, so that they are statistically quantifiable. This will allow a number of key questions regarding the structural evolution trend to be answered. We propose a two-colour ACS/WFC SNAP survey of rich Magellanic Cloud clusters to achieve this aim. The unique resolution and sensitivity of ACS/WFC is required for success, because of the crowded nature of the targets. The SNAP data will have a large number of additional applications, both to globular cluster and Magellanic Cloud research.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

A snapshot survey of rich stellar clusters in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with A snapshot survey of rich stellar clusters in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A snapshot survey of rich stellar clusters in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1133671