Title:The formation and destruction of star cluster populations in galaxy mergers

Abstract:
Merging and interacting galaxies host huge starbursts, in which large populations of massive stellar clusters 
are formed. However, galaxy interactions can also destroy clusters due to the rapidly changing tidal field. It 
is generally believed that the formation of star clusters dominates over their destruction. However, using new 
numerical simulations of galaxy mergers in which a complete model for the star cluster population is 
included, we find that the tidal forces during the merger are strong enough to destroy over 95% of all stellar 
clusters, preferentially annihilating the lowest mass clusters and only leaving the massive (globular 
cluster-like) ones intact. In this contribution, I discuss the processes that shape the surviving star cluster 
population, and I present the first results of a complete model for the cluster population of the Antennae 
galaxies.