Events in Physics
Nick Wright (University of Hertfordshire) PS1.28
The Dynamics of Star Clusters
Star formation is one of the fundamental processes in the Universe, yet we still lack a comprehensive and predictive theory of how stars form. Since most stars form in groups or clusters of some sort, the formation and evolution of star clusters is intimately linked to the formation. Our understanding of how star clusters form, evolve and are eventually disrupted is clouded by our `static' and projected viewpoint of their structure. I will describe ongoing work to better understand the physical and dynamical state of star clusters and OB associations, through observations of both their structure and kinematics. In particular I will present observations of the massive OB association Cygnus OB2 that reveal its dynamical state and address the origins of low density OB associations and star formation within them.