Young star clusters in external galaxies
  I review the characteristics of cluster populations in other galaxies, with
particular emphasis on young star clusters and a comparison with the (known)
open cluster population of the Milky Way. Young globular cluster-like (compact,
massive) objects can still form at the present epoch, even in relatively
quiescent spiral discs, as well as starbursts. Comparison with other nearby
spiral galaxies, like M83 and NGC 6946, suggests that the Milky Way should host
about 20 clusters with masses above 10^5 Msun and ages younger than about 200
Myr. No such clusters have been found, however. I discuss the important roles
of selection and evolutionary effects that may account for many of the apparent
differences between cluster populations in different galaxies. One potentially
important difference between ancient GCs and young star clusters is the
presence of complex star formation / chemical enrichment histories in the GCs.
Little is currently known about the presence or absence of such features in
massive (>10^5 Msun) young star clusters, but some tantalizing hints of
extended star formation histories are now emerging also in young clusters.
