MASS SEGREGATION IN YOUNG STELLAR CLUSTERS

We investigate the evolutionary effect of dynamical mass segregation i n young stellar clusters. Dynamical mass segregation acts on a time-sc ale of order the relaxation time of a cluster. Although some degree of mass segregation occurs earlier, the position bf massive stars in ric h young clusters generally reflects the cluster's initial conditions. In particular, the positions of the massive stars in the Trapezium clu ster in Orion cannot be due to dynamical mass segregation, but indicat e that they formed in, or near, the centre of the cluster. Implication s of this for cluster formation and for the formation of high-mass sta rs are discussed.