Gravitational interactions between globular and open clusters: an
  introduction
  Historically, it has been assumed that globular and open clusters never
interact. However, recent evidence suggests that: globular clusters passing
through the disk may be able to perturb giant molecular clouds (GMCs)
triggering formation of open clusters and some old open clusters may be linked
to accreted globulars. Here, we further explore the existence of possible
dynamical connections between globular and open clusters, and realize that the
most obvious link must be in the form of gravitational interactions. If open
clusters are born out of GMCs, they have to move in similar orbits. If we
accept that globulars can interact with GMCs, triggering star formation, it
follows that globular and open clusters must also interact. Consistently,
theoretical arguments as well as observational evidence, show that globular and
open clusters certainly are interacting populations and their interactions are
far more common than usually thought, especially for objects part of the
bulge/disk. Monte Carlo calculations confirm that conclusion. Globular clusters
seem capable of not only inducing formation of open clusters but, more often,
their demise. Relatively frequent high speed cluster encounters or cluster
harassment may also cause, on the long-term, slow erosion and tidal truncation
on the globulars involved. The disputed object FSR 1767 (2MASS-GC04) may be,
statistically speaking, the best example of an ongoing interaction.
