Star Clusters in the Galactic tidal field, from birth to dissolution

Abstract

We study the evolution of star clusters in the Galactic tidal field starting from their birth in molecular clumps. Our model clusters form according to the local-density-driven cluster formation model in which the stellar density profile is steeper than that of gas. As a result, clusters resist the gas expulsion better than predicted by earlier models. We vary the impact of the Galactic tidal field λ, considering different Galactocentric distances (3–18 kpc), as well as different cluster sizes. Our model clusters survive the gas expulsion independent of λ.