Multiple populations in globular clusters: constraints from kinematics and dynamics

We discuss constraints on the formation of multiple populations in globular clusters (GCs) imposed by their present-day kinematics (velocity dispersion and anisotropy) and spatial distribution. We argue that the observational evidence collected so far in the outer parts of clusters is generally cons...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union 2015-08, Vol.12 (S316), p.310-315
Main Author: Hénault-Brunet, Vincent
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astrophysics
Contributed Papers
Kinematics
Stars & galaxies
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Summary:We discuss constraints on the formation of multiple populations in globular clusters (GCs) imposed by their present-day kinematics (velocity dispersion and anisotropy) and spatial distribution. We argue that the observational evidence collected so far in the outer parts of clusters is generally consistent with an enriched population forming more centrally concentrated compared to the primordial population, in agreement with all the scenarios proposed to date (in some cases by design), but not sufficient to favour a particular scenario. We highlight that the differential rotation of subpopulations is a signature that may provide crucial new constraints and allow us to distinguish between various scenarios. Finally, we discuss the spatial distribution of subpopulations in the central regions of GCs and speculate that mass segregation between subpopulations may be due to a difference in their binary fraction.
ISSN:1743-9213
1743-9221
DOI:10.1017/S1743921315010650