A universal route for the formation of massive star clusters in giant molecular clouds

Young massive clusters (M ≥ 104Mʘ) are proposed modern-day analogues of the globular clusters that were products of extreme star formation in the early Universe1–4. The exact conditions and mechanisms under which young massive clusters form remain unknown4,5—a fact further complicated by the extreme radiation fields produced by their numerous young stars6–9. Here, we show that massive clusters are naturally produced in radiation-hydrodynamic …