2003MNRAS.339..280S

Result. of a study of the theoretically predicted and observed X-ray properties of local massive star clusters are presented, with a focus on understanding the mass and energy flow from these clusters into the interstellar medium via a cluster wind. A simple theoretical model, based on the 1985 work of Chevalier & Clegg, is used to predict the theoretical cluster properties, and these are compared to those obtained from recent Chandra observations. The model includes the effect of lower energy transfer efficiency and mass loading. In spite of limited statistics, some general trends are indicated: the observed temperature of the diffuse X-ray emission is lower than that predicted from the stellar mass and energy input rates, but the predicted scaling of X-ray luminosity with cluster parameters is seen. The implications of these results are discussed.