Cosmic-Lab is a long-term project aimed at probing the complex interplay between dynamics and stellar evolution by using Galactic Globular Clusters (the most populous stellar aggregates in the Milky Way) as Cosmic Laboratories, and blue straggler stars and millisecond pulsars (the most exotic by-products of this interplay) as test-particles.

The research takes advantage of a tight synergy between observing data acquired at the major ground-based and space telescopes, and state-of-the-art N-body simulations and dynamical models.

The results are expected to have a crucial impact on several areas of modern Astrophysics and Physics research, ranging from the evolution of cosmic structures, to the equation of state of matter at nuclear equilibrium densities.

The project is led by Francesco R. Ferraro of the Physics and Astronomy Department of the University of Bologna.

Star Clusters as Cosmic Laboratories for Astrophysics, Dynamics and Fundamental Physics