Star clusters in the clouds of Magellan

Star clusters in the LMC and SMC are compared with those in the Galaxy. It is shown that Cloud clusters have radii about three times larger than those of comparable Galactic clusters, and it is speculated that this difference may be due to the fact that Cloud clusters formed in a lower density environment than Galactic clusters. Young clusters in the Clouds seem to remain embedded in the remnants of associations for extended periods because tidal forces in the Clouds are weaker than they are in the Galaxy. Luminous clusters of all ages in the Clouds are on average significantly flatter than Galactic clusters. The LMC is surrounded by at least seven real globular cluster with ages greater than 10 Gyr whereas the SMC has only one such companion. These clusters have luminosities and mass-to-light ratios similar to those of Galactic clusters. In both Clouds old clusters are more widely distributed than are younger clusters. 184 refs