Binaries in star clusters and the origin of the field stellar population

TL;DR

This paper explores how binary star properties in clusters influence the characteristics of the field stellar population, considering the effects of dynamical processing and environmental factors on star formation.

Contribution

It investigates the impact of cluster dynamics on binary star properties and how this shapes the field star population, providing insights into star formation universality.

Findings

Binary properties are significantly altered by cluster dynamics.

Field stars are a mixture of systems processed differently in various clusters.

Star formation may not be universal but environment-dependent.

Abstract

Many, possibly most, stars form in binary and higher-order multiple systems. Therefore, the properties and frequency of binary systems provide strong clues to the star-formation process, and constraints on star-formation models. However, the majority of stars also form in star clusters in which the birth binary properties and frequency can be altered rapidly by dynamical processing. Thus, we almost never see the birth population, which makes it very difficult to know if star formation (as traced by binaries, at least) is universal, or if it depends on environment. In addition, the field population consists of a mixture of systems from different clusters which have all been processed in different ways.