How do binary clusters form?
  Approximately 10 per cent of star clusters are found in pairs, known as
binary clusters. We propose a mechanism for binary cluster formation; we use
N-body simulations to show that velocity substructure in a single (even fairly
smooth) region can cause binary clusters to form. This process is highly
stochastic and it is not obvious from a region's initial conditions whether a
binary will form and, if it does, which stars will end up in which cluster. We
find the probability that a region will divide is mainly determined by its
virial ratio, and a virial ratio above 'equilibrium' is generally necessary for
binary formation. We also find that the mass ratio of the two clusters is
strongly influenced by the initial degree of spatial substructure in the
region.
