Modeling Dense Stellar Systems: Background

Abstract

I provide some background about recent efforts made in modeling dense stellar systems, within the context of the MODEST initiative. During the last four years, we have seen more than fifteen MODEST workshops, with an attendance between twenty and a hundred participants, and topics ranging from very specialized discussions to rather general overviews.

to appear in the proceedings for JD06, IAU Highlights of Astronomy, Volume 14, ed. K. van der Hucht