3,907 research outputs found
Blue Straggler Stars: The Spectacular Population in M80
Using HST-WFPC2 observations in two ultraviolet (UV) filters (F225W and
F336W) of the central region of the high density Galactic Globular cluster
(GGC) M80 we have identified 305 Blue Straggler Stars (BSS) which represents
the largest and most concentrated population of BSS ever observed in a GGC. We
also identify the largest, clean sample of evolved BSS yet found. The high
stellar density alone cannot explain the BSS, and we suggest that in M80 we are
witnessing a transient dynamical state, during which stellar interactions are
delaying the core-collapse process leading to an exceptionally large population
of collisional-BSS.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, Astrophysical Journal Letters, in pres
Gauge invariance of parametrized systems and path integral quantization
Gauge invariance of systems whose Hamilton-Jacobi equation is separable is
improved by adding surface terms to the action fuctional. The general form of
these terms is given for some complete solutions of the Hamilton-Jacobi
equation. The procedure is applied to the relativistic particle and toy
universes, which are quantized by imposing canonical gauge conditions in the
path integral; in the case of empty models, we first quantize the parametrized
system called ``ideal clock'', and then we examine the possibility of obtaining
the amplitude for the minisuperspaces by matching them with the ideal clock.
The relation existing between the geometrical properties of the constraint
surface and the variables identifying the quantum states in the path integral
is discussed.Comment: 23 page
The giant, horizontal and asymptotic branches of galactic globular clusters. I. The catalog, photometric observables and features
A catalog including a set of the most recent Color Magnitude Diagrams (CMDs)
is presented for a sample of 61 Galactic Globular Clusters (GGCs). We used this
data-base to perform an homogeneous systematic analysis of the evolved
sequences (namely, Red Giant Branch (RGB), Horizontal Branch (HB) and
Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB)). Based on this analysis, we present: (1) a new
procedure to measure the level of the ZAHB (V_ZAHB) and an homogeneous set of
distance moduli obtained adopting the HB as standard candle; (2) an independent
estimate for RGB metallicity indicators and new calibrations of these
parameters in terms of both spectroscopic ([Fe/H]_CG97) and global metallicity
([M/H], including also the alpha-elements enhancement). The set of equations
presented can be used to simultaneously derive a photometric estimate of the
metal abundance and the reddening from the morphology and the location of the
RGB in the (V,B-V)-CMD. (3) the location of the RGB-Bump (in 47 GGCs) and the
AGB-Bump (in 9 GGCs). The dependence of these features on the metallicity is
discussed. We find that by using the latest theoretical models and the new
metallicity scales the earlier discrepancy between theory and observations
(~0.4 mag) completely disappears.Comment: 51 pages, 23 figures, AAS Latex, macro rtrpp4.sty included, accepted
by A
Global phase time and path integral for string cosmological models
A global phase time is identified for homogeneous and isotropic cosmological
models yielding from the low energy effective action of closed bosonic string
theory. When the Hamiltonian constraint allows for the existence of an
intrinsic time, the quantum transition amplitude is obtained by means of the
usual path integral procedure for gauge systems.Comment: 12 pages, added reference
The surprising external upturn of the Blue Straggler radial distribution in M55
By combining high-resolution HST and wide-field ground based observations, in
ultraviolet and optical bands, we study the Blue Straggler Star (BSS)
population of the low density galactic globular cluster M55 (NGC 6809) over its
entire radial extent. The BSS projected radial distribution is found to be
bimodal, with a central peak, a broad minimum at intermediate radii, and an
upturn at large radii. Similar bimodal distributions have been found in other
globular clusters (M3, 47 Tucanae, NGC 6752, M5), but the external upturn in
M55 is the largest found to date. This might indicate a large fraction of
primordial binaries in the outer regions of M55, which seems somehow in
contrast with the relatively low (\sim 10%) binary fraction recently measured
in the core of this cluster.Comment: in press on Ap
Discovery of another peculiar radial distribution of Blue Stragglers in Globular Clusters: The case of 47 Tuc
We have used high resolution WFPC2-HST and wide field ground-based
observations to construct a catalog of blue straggler stars (BSS) in the
globular cluster 47 Tuc spanning the entire radial extent of the cluster.
The BSS distribution is highly peaked in the cluster center, rapidly
decreases at intermediate radii, and finally rises again at larger radii. The
observed distribution closely resembles that discovered in M3 by Ferraro et al
(1993,1997). To date, complete BSS surveys covering the full radial extent (HST
in the center and wide field CCD ground based observations of the exterior)
have been performed for only these two clusters. Both show a bimodal radial
distribution, despite their different dynamical properties. BSS surveys
covering the full spatial extent of more globular clusters are clearly required
to determine how common bimodality is and what its consequence is for theories
of BSS formation and cluster dynamics.Comment: 21 pages, 6 figures, accepted for pubblication in Ap
ROSAT HRI X-ray Observations of the Open Globular Cluster NGC 288
A ROSAT HRI X-ray image was obtained of the open globular cluster NGC 288,
which is located near the South Galactic Pole. This is the first deep X-ray
image of this system. We detect a Low Luminosity Globular Cluster X-ray source
(LLGCX) RXJ005245.0-263449 with an X-ray luminosity of (5.5+-1.4)x10^32 ergs/s
(0.1-2.0 keV), which is located very close to the cluster center. There is
evidence for X-ray variability on a time scale of <~ 1 day. The presence of
this LLGCX in such an open cluster suggests that dense stellar systems with
high interaction rates are not needed to form LLGCXs. We also searched for
diffuse X-ray emission from NGC 288. Upper limits on the X-ray luminosities are
L_X^h < 9.5x10^32 ergs/s (0.52-2.02 keV) and L_X^s < 9.3x10^32 ergs/s
(0.11-0.41 keV). These imply upper limits to the diffuse X-ray to optical light
ratios in NGC 288 which are lower than the values observed for X-ray faint
early-type galaxies. This indicates that the soft X-ray emission in these
galaxies is due either to a component which is not present in globular clusters
(e.g., interstellar gas, or a stellar component which is not found in low
metallicity Population II systems), or to a relatively small number of bright
Low Mass X-ray Binaries (LMXBs).Comment: The Astrophysical Journal in press. Minor revisions to improve
presentation. 6 pages with 3 embedded Postscript figures in emulateapj.st
The surface density profile of NGC 6388: a good candidate for harboring an intermediate-mass black hole
We have used a combination of high resolution (HST ACS-HRC, ACS-WFC, and
WFPC2) and wide-field (ESO-WFI) observations of the galactic globular cluster
NGC 6388 to derive its center of gravity, projected density profile, and
central surface brightness profile. While the overall projected profiles are
well fit by a King model with intermediate concentration (c=1.8) and sizable
core radius (rc=7"), a significant power law (with slope \alpha=-0.2) deviation
from a flat core behavior has been detected within the inner 1 arcsecond. These
properties suggest the presence of a central intermediate mass black hole. The
observed profiles are well reproduced by a multi-mass isotropic, spherical
model including a black hole with a mass of ~5.7x10^3 Msol.Comment: ApJ Letter in pres
Another Non-segregated Blue Straggler Population in a Globular Cluster: the Case of NGC 2419
We have used a combination of ACS-HST high-resolution and wide-field SUBARU
data in order to study the Blue Straggler Star (BSS) population over the entire
extension of the remote Galactic globular cluster NGC 2419. The BSS population
presented here is among the largest ever observed in any stellar system, with
more than 230 BSS in the brightest portion of the sequence. The radial
distribution of the selected BSS is essentially the same as that of the other
cluster stars. In this sense the BSS radial distribution is similar to that of
omega Centauri and unlike that of all Galactic globular clusters studied to
date, which have highly centrally segregated distributions and, in most cases,
a pronounced upturn in the external regions. As in the case of omega Centauri,
this evidence indicates that NGC 2419 is not yet relaxed even in the central
regions. This observational fact is in agreement with estimated half-mass
relaxation time, which is of the order of the cluster age.Comment: in press in the Ap
Two distinct sequences of blue straggler stars in the globular cluster M30
Stars in globular clusters are generally believed to have all formed at the
same time, early in the Galaxy's history. 'Blue stragglers' are stars massive
enough that they should have evolved into white dwarfs long ago. Two possible
mechanisms have been proposed for their formation: mass transfer between binary
companions and stellar mergers resulting from direct collisions between two
stars. Recently, the binary explanation was claimed to be dominant. Here we
report that there are two distinct parallel sequences of blue stragglers in
M30. This globular cluster is thought to have undergone 'core collapse', during
which both the collision rate and the mass transfer activity in binary systems
would have been enhanced. We suggest that the two observed sequences arise from
the cluster core collapse, with the bluer population arising from direct
stellar collisions and the redder one arising from the evolution of close
binaries that are probably still experiencing an active phase of mass transfer.Comment: Published on the 24th December 2009 issue of Natur
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