Researchers at McMaster University have determined that star clusters in vast time and space intervals of the Universe have been created in a single way. For research used high-tech simulations. This made it possible to recreate what is happening inside the giant clouds of concentrated gases that generate star clusters.
Modern simulations follow a cloud of interstellar gas with a diameter of 500 light-years, predicting an evolution of 5 million years caused by turbulence, gravity and feedback from the intense radiation pressure created by massive stars. The study shows how these forces form dense filaments that direct the gas into what eventually becomes bright star clusters. They can merge with other clusters to create a ball.
Simulation of a large-scale molecular cloud marked by star-shaped clusters in a formation
Scientists have programmed data for variables, such as gas pressure, spatial turbulence, and radiation force. A month later, the program turned into star clusters, identical to those that exist in space. Analysis has shown that when taking into account a sufficiently large amount of gas, a massive star cluster is a natural result.
Earlier it was claimed that clusters of different ages and sizes were formed in various ways. But a new study points to a single mechanism. The result depends on the source gas reservoir, which, after turbulence, gravity and feedback, will create star clusters of different sizes for several million years.
