The Properties of Nuclear Star Clusters and their Host Galaxies

Understand

Nuclear star clusters are found at the centers of most galaxies.

• They are the densest stellar systems in the Universe, and thus have unique and interesting stellar dynamics.
• We review how common nuclear star clusters are in galaxies of different masses and types, and then discuss the typical properties of NSCs.
• We close by discussing the formation of NSCs, and how a picture is emerging of different formation mechanisms being dominant in lower and higher mass galaxies.