Super star cluster

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A Super Star Cluster (SSC), is a very large region of star formation thought to be the precursor of a globular cluster. They typically contain a very large number of young, massive stars that ionize a surrounding H II region, which is in turn surrounded by a cocoon of dust. In many cases, the stars and the H II regions will be invisible to optical observations thanks to high levels of extinction. As a result, the youngest SSCs are best observed in radio and infrared.[1]

While there are many examples of SSCs in other galaxies, Westerlund 1 may be the only cluster in the Milky Way deserving of the title.[2]

[edit] References:

  1. ^ Extragalactic Ultracompact HII Regions: Probing the Birth Environments of Super Star Clusters by Kelsey E. Johnson in May 2004 contains a review of what we know and don't know about SSCs
  2. ^ "Young and Exotic Stellar Zoo: ESO's Telescopes Uncover Super Star Cluster in the Milky Way", ESO, March 22, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
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