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| Paper: |
Evolution of Spatial Structure of Star Clusters |
| Volume: |
289, The Proceedings of the IAU 8th Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, Volume I |
| Page: |
181 |
| Authors: |
Chen, W. P.; Chen, C. W. |
| Abstract: |
We present the results of a pilot project to study the structure of star clusters with the 2MASS database. While the 2MASS cannot resolve the cores or detect much of the main sequence of globular clusters, the homogeneity and extended angular coverage make the star database suitable to study young star clusters. Even the youngest star clusters which are not yet dynamically relaxed have their stars -- regardless of the stellar masses -- concentrated progressively towards the cluster centers, a result due more to the cluster formation process than from subsequent gravitational interaction. We show evidence that, as a cluster ages, effects of mass segregation and external disturbances start to dominate the evolution of the spatial distribution of stars in a star cluster. |
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