Abstract / Description of output
We discuss some of the key open questions regarding the formation and
evolution of globular clusters (GCs) during galaxy formation and
assembly within a cosmological framework. The current state of the art
for both observations and simulations is described, and we briefly
mention directions for future research. The oldest GCs have ages greater
than or equal to 12.5 Gyr and formed around the time of reionization.
Resolved colour-magnitude diagrams of Milky Way GCs and direct imaging
of lensed proto-GCs at z˜6 with the James Webb Space Telescope
(JWST) promise further insight. GCs are known to host multiple
populations of stars with variations in their chemical abundances.
Recently, such multiple populations have been detected in ˜2 Gyr
old compact, massive star clusters. This suggests a common, single
pathway for the formation of GCs at high and low redshift. The shape of
the initial mass function for GCs remains unknown; however, for massive
galaxies a power-law mass function is favoured. Significant progress has
been made recently modelling GC formation in the context of galaxy
formation, with success in reproducing many of the observed GC-galaxy
scaling relations.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 20170616 |
Journal | Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences |
Volume | 474 |
Issue number | 2210 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 14 Feb 2018 |