Star cluster dynamics

TL;DR

This review discusses how dynamical processes influence the evolution of globular star clusters, highlighting physical mechanisms, evolutionary pathways, and effects on structure and stellar content.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the physical factors and evolutionary routes shaping globular clusters over time.

Findings

Dynamical evolution significantly alters cluster structure and stellar populations.

Multiple evolutionary pathways exist depending on initial conditions and external influences.

Understanding these processes helps distinguish formation properties from evolutionary effects.

Abstract

Dynamical evolution plays a key role in shaping the current properties of star clusters and star cluster systems. A detailed understanding of the effects of evolutionary processes is essential to be able to disentangle the properties which result from dynamical evolution from those imprinted at the time of cluster formation. In this review, we focus our attention on globular clusters and review the main physical ingredients driving their early and long-term evolution, describe the possible evolutionary routes and show how cluster structure and stellar content are affected by dynamical evolution.