Modeling Formation of Globular Clusters: Beacons of Galactic Star Formation

TL;DR

This paper reviews state-of-the-art hydrodynamic simulations that model the formation of globular clusters within galaxies, explaining their properties and distribution through hierarchical galaxy formation processes.

Contribution

It provides insights into the origin of globular cluster properties and their formation history using advanced galaxy formation simulations.

Findings

Globular cluster formation was most prominent at redshifts z>3.

Metallicity bimodality naturally arises from hierarchical formation.

Massive star clusters contributed significantly to early galactic star formation.

Abstract

Modern hydrodynamic simulations of galaxy formation are able to predict accurately the rates and locations of the assembly of giant molecular clouds in early galaxies. These clouds could host star clusters with the masses and sizes of real globular clusters. I describe current state-of-the-art simulations aimed at understanding the origin of the cluster mass function and metallicity distribution. Metallicity bimodality of globular cluster systems appears to be a natural outcome of hierarchical formation and gradually declining fraction of cold gas in galaxies. Globular cluster formation was most prominent at redshifts z>3, when massive star clusters may have contributed as much as 20% of all galactic star formation.