Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Massive Young Stellar Clusters in the Milky Way

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Highlights of Spanish Astrophysics V

Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings ((ASSSP))

  • 596 Accesses

Abstract

Compact young open clusters with very high masses (\( M_{cl} \gtrsim 10^5 M_ \odot \)) have been observed in many galaxies, and their connection to globular clusters is a matter of discussion. However, until very recently, no clusters with masses \( M_{cl} \gtrsim 10^4 M_ \odot \)were known in the Milky Way. Their absence was considered a natural consequence of the mild star formation rate in the Milky Way. The development of new infrared observational techniques has completely changed our perception. At present, almost a dozen young massive clusters are known in the Milky Way, and there are reasons to believe that many more wait to be found. In this paper, I briefly review our knowledge of some of these objects: the extended star-forming region Cygnus OB2, the compact young massive cluster Westerlund 1, currently believed to be the most massive young cluster in the Galaxy, and the new massive clusters hosting a large population of red supergiants found at the base of the Scutum Arm.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Bastian, N., in Pathways Through an Eclectic Universe, Knapen, J.H., et al., eds., ASP Conference Series, San Francisco, Astronomical Society of the Pacific, Vol. 390, p. 47 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bastian, N., Goodwin, S.P., MNRAS 369, L9 (2006)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Bastian, N., Gieles, M., Efremov, Yu.N., Lamers, H.J.G.L.M., A&A 443, 79 (2005)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Battinelli, P., Capuzzo-Dolcetta, R., MNRAS 249, 76 (1991)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. Bica, E., Bonatto, Ch., Dutra, C.M., A&A 405, 991 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. Brandner, W., et al., A&A 478, 137 (2008)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. Cerviño, M., Valls-Gabaud, D., MNRAS 338, 481 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. Clark, J.S., Negueruela, I., Crowther, P.A., Goodwin, S.P., A&A 434, 949 (2005)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. Comerón, F., Torra, J., ApJ 423, 652 (1994)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. Comerón, F., et al., A&A 389, 874 (2002)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. Crowther, P.A., et al., MNRAS 372, 1407 (2006)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. Davies, B., et al., ApJ 671, 781 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  13. Davies, B., et al., ApJ 676, 1016 (2008)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  14. de Grijs, R., Parmentier, G., ChJAA 7, 155 (2007)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  15. Figer, D.F., in Massive Stars as Cosmic Engines, Bresolin, F., et al., eds., IAU Symposium, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, Vol. 250, p. 247 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Figer, D.F., et al., ApJ 643, 1166 (2006)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  17. Garzón, F., et al., ApJ 491, L31 (1997)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  18. Hanson, M.M., ApJ 597, 957 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  19. Hanson, M.M., Popescu, B, IAU Symposium, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, Vol. 250, p. 307 (2008)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  20. Harayama, Y., Eisenhauer, F., Martins, F., ApJ 675, 1319 (2008)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  21. Homeier, N.L., Alves, J., A&A 430, 481 (2005)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  22. Johnson, H.L., Morgan, W.W., ApJ 119, 344 (1954)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  23. Kothes, R., Dougherty, S.M., A&A 468, 993 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  24. Lada, J., Lada, E.A., ARA&A 41, 57 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  25. López-Corredoira, M., et al., AJ 118, 381 (1999)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  26. Knödlseder, J., A&A 360, 539 (2000)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  27. Kiminki, D.C., et al., ApJ 664, 1102 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  28. Kiminki, D.C., McSwain, M.V., Kobulnicky, H.A., ApJ 679, 1478 (2008)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  29. Kroupa, P., Science 295, 82 (2002)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  30. Kroupa, P., Boily, C.M., MNRAS 336, 1188 (2002)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  31. Larsen, S.S., Richtler, T., A&A 427, 495 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  32. Massey, P., Thompson, A.B., AJ 101, 1408 (1991)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  33. McCrady, N., Graham, J.R., Vacca, W.D., ApJ 621, 278 (2005)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  34. Melena, N.W., Massey, P., Morrell, N.I., Zangari, A.M., AJ 135, 878 (2008)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  35. Mengel, S., Tacconi-Garman, L.E., in Dynamical Evolution of Dense Stellar Systems, Vesperini, E., et al., eds., IAU Symposium, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, Vol. 246, p. 113 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Nanda-Kumar, M.S., Kamath, U.S., Davis, C.J., MNRAS 353, 1025 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  37. Negueruela, I., Clark, J.S., Hadfield, L.J., Crowther, P.A., in Massive Stars as Cosmic Engines, Bresolin, F., et al., eds., IAU Symposium, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, Vol. 250, p. 301 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Negueruela, I., Marco, A., Herrero, A., Clark, J.S., A&A 487, 575 (2008)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  39. Piskunov, A.E., et al., A&A 487, 557 (2008)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  40. Slesnick, C.L., Massey, P., Hillenbrand, L.A., ApJ 576, 880 (2002)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  41. Whitmore, B.C., Schweizer, F., AJ 109, 960 (1995)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Física, Ingeniería de Sistemas y Teoría de la Señal. Escuela Politécnica Superior. Universidad of Alicante, Apdo.99, E-03080, Alicante, Spain

    Ignacio Negueruela

Authors
  1. Ignacio Negueruela
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ignacio Negueruela .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Física de Cantabria, Avda. de Los Castros s/n, Santander, 39005, Cantabria, Spain

    Jose M. Diego

  2. Depto. Física Moderna, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. de Los Castros s/n, Santander, 39005, Cantabria, Spain

    Luis J. Goicoechea

  3. Instituto de Física de Cantabria, Avda. de Los Castros s/n, Santander, 39005, Cantabria, Spain

    J. Ignacio González-Serrano

  4. Depto. Astrofísica, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, Madrid, 28040, Spain

    Javier Gorgas

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Negueruela, I. (2010). Massive Young Stellar Clusters in the Milky Way. In: Diego, J., Goicoechea, L., González-Serrano, J., Gorgas, J. (eds) Highlights of Spanish Astrophysics V. Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-11250-8_17

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-11250-8_17

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-11249-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-11250-8

  • eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation