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Søren Meibom Astronomer (Ph.D.) 
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
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Vita |
Broader scope of research:
As collections of stars with the same age, distance, and chemical
composition, but different masses, star clusters lay a critical
observational foundation for the field of stellar astrophysics and
beyond by allowing us to study the properties of stars as a function
of the most fundamental stellar parameters - age and mass.
Open star clusters are particularly valuable as they span a wide
range in age, metallicity, richness, and distance from the galactic
center. As such, open clusters are fundamental for studies of the
formation and evolution of stars and their companions, are uniquely
suited for studies of stellar dynamics, and provide essential tracers
for galactic structure and evolution. Importantly, open clusters allow
us to follow stars similar to our Sun, from the earliest stages of
their lives, which are often the most active and dynamical, through
more stable phases where planetary systems can be established and
life may unfold, and till the end of their lives dominated by rapid
and dramatic changes in their internal structure and proximate
environment.
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