Achievements and Challenges (in star formation)
Richard de Grijs
University of Sheffield (UK) and Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics (China)

In spite of significant recent and ongoing research efforts, most of the early evolution and long-term fate of young massive star clusters remain clouded in uncertainties. Here, we discuss our understanding of the initial conditions of star (cluster) formation and the importance of initial substructure for the subsequent dynamical-evolution and mass-segregation timescales. We also assess our current understanding of the (initial) binary fraction in star clusters and the shape of the stellar initial mass function at the low-mass end in the low-metallicity environment of the Large Magellanic Cloud. Finally, we question the validity of our assumptions leading to dynamical cluster mass estimates.

Date:	Jeudi, 21 janvier 2010
Time:	11:00
Where:	Université Laval
	Pavillon Alexandre-Vachon, local 1661
Contact:	Sylvie Beaulieu