  We consider star networks of chaotic oscillators, with all end-nodes
connected only to the central hub node, under diffusive coupling, conjugate
coupling and mean-field type coupling. We observe the existence of chimeras in
the end-nodes, which are identical in terms of the coupling environment and
dynamical equations. Namely, the symmetry of the end-nodes is broken and
co-existing groups with different synchronization features and attractor
geometries emerge. Surprisingly, such chimera states are very wide-spread in
this network topology, and large parameter regimes of moderate coupling
strengths evolve to chimera states from generic random initial conditions.
Further, we verify the robustness of these chimera states in analog circuit
experiments. Thus it is evident that star networks provide a promising class of
coupled systems, in natural or human-engineered contexts, where chimeras are
prevalent.
