Star Cluster Formation in a Galactic Nucleus

This shows the formation of a star cluster from a dense, rotating disk, similar to what is seen in the centers of massive galactic nuclei (e.g. galaxy mergers). Shocks form dense filaments that collapse to form stars. The orange shows the gas, blue shows newly formed stars. Radiation from those stars heats and blows away the medium around until it disperses. The dense, clustered nuggets form new star clusters.

© Philip Hopkins 2015