Near-Infrared photometry of four metal-rich Bulge globular clusters: NGC6304, NGC6569, NGC6637, NGC6638

Abstract

We present high-quality near-Infrared photometry of four Bulge metal-rich globular clusters, namely: NGC 6304, NGC 6569, NGC 6637 and NGC 6638. By using the observed Colour-Magnitude Diagrams we derived a photometric estimates of the cluster reddening and distance. We performed a detailed analysis of the Red Giant Branch, presenting a complete description of morphologic parameters and evolutionary features (Bump and Tip). Photometric estimates of the cluster metallicity have been obtained by using the updated set of relations (published by our group) linking the metal abundance to a variety of near-Infrared indices measured along the Red Giant Branch. The detection of the Red Giant Branch Bump and the Tip is also presented and briefly discussed.Comment: 12 pages, 15 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA