Reproducing the diversity of star cluster populations using EMP-Pathfinder

Marta Reina-Campos (McMaster University)

April 13, 2023

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Abstract: Stellar clusters are found in virtually all galaxies. Their properties are extremely diverse: with masses between 1e2-1e7 MSun and sizes 1-20 pc, some of them are currently forming whereas some have survived for the entire age of the Universe. In this talk, I will review how regular cluster formation in evolving galaxies over cosmic history can explain this diversity. For this, I will use results from the suite of Milky Way-mass galaxies from the EMP-Pathfinder simulations. In particular, I will focus on reproducing two properties: the masses and the half-mass radius of star clusters. By comparing to observed cluster populations, I will show how simplistic assumptions can work in some cases, and break in others. Finally, I will end advocating for a better treatment of star clusters within numerical simulations of galaxy formation.