N-Body Simulations of the Dynamical Evolution of Open Star Clusters Using JupyterLabs

Using a JupyterLab-based N-body simulation, we investigate the evolution of open star clusters, particularly the time variation of the mass distribution and the escape velocity of the stars. The focus of this study is on open star clusters containing about 100 stars with an initial spatial extent of about 1 parsec. Stellar masses are assigned randomly according to a power-law distribution based on the Salpeter initial mass function. Initial positions and velocities of stars are also assigned randomly, reproducing realistic dynamics in the initial state of the star cluster. We analyze the changing distance of each star from the center of gravity to evaluate the dynamical evolution of the cluster and compare simulation results with existing literature to confirm their consistency with past work and theoretical predictions. We plan to extend this study to consider more carefully the effects of stars of different masses on surrounding stars and the escape of lower mass stars such that the role of these in the evolution of the entire star cluster can be elucidated.