Some constraints on the formation of globular clusters

We explore the constraints on globular cluster formation provided by the ob served conditions in starbursts in which globular clusters are currently fo rming and by the observed properties of young and old globular clusters. We note that the pressure in the interstellar medium of starbursts and merger s implies that molecular clouds in these environments have radii similar to those of globular clusters. Such molecular clouds are therefore viable pre cursors to globular clusters if the star formation efficiency in the clouds is high. A high star formation efficiency may be a consequence of the high density and associated high binding energy and short dynamical timescale o f molecular clouds in such environments. We also note that the apparent lac k of a mass-radius relationship in young and old globular cluster systems p laces important constraints on globular cluster formation models. This is b ecause molecular clouds are observed to follow a virial scaling relation be tween mass and radius. We suggest that a variable star formation efficiency may weaken or eliminate the mass-radius relation of molecular clouds as th ey fragment to form globular clusters. We attribute the absence of young gl obular clusters in the disks of ordinary galaxies such as the Milky Way to the relatively low ambient pressures in such systems.