Аннотация:
Stars in galaxies are often found in form of gigantic stellar associations. The study of the nature and the origin of stellar associations has now become vitally important for the theory of stellar formation, and, in addition, also for an understanding of the evolution of galaxies, which is essentially the space-time history of stellar formation in these galaxies. Star clusters and associations are discussed, taking into account T associations, OB associations, the study of O stars, the Magellanic Clouds, the Andromeda Nebula, and O star associations. Attention is given to stellar associations in the Galaxy, stellar associations in other galaxies, and questions regarding the origin of associations of stars.