Exploring starburst astrophysics with ELTs

Abstract

Star formation in starbursts produces compact star clusters which extend in mass up to the super star clusters (SSCs) which resemble young globular clusters. Compact young massive star clusters (cYMCs) in turn cluster along with other young stars into starburst clumps. Using M82 as an example we briefly review how the presence of starburst clumps affects the evolution of the host galaxy. Extremely large telescopes (ELTs) will be essential for understanding how starburst clumps and their constituent star clusters evolve. In nearby systems their combination of sensitivity and angular resolution will allow us to explore the structures, kinematics, and abundances of cYMCs. For systems at cosmological distances the high surface brightnesses of the starburst clumps makes them prime gateways for exploring the early evolution of galaxies.