Are the globular clusters with significant internal [Fe/H] spreads all former dwarf galaxy nuclei?
Abstract
In this contribution the hypothesis that the Galactic globular clusters with substantial internal [Fe/H] abundance ranges are the former nuclei of disrupted dwarf galaxies is discussed. Evidence considered includes the form of the metallicity distribution function, the occurrence of large diffuse outer envelopes in cluster density profiles, and the presence of ([s-process/Fe], [Fe/H]) correlations. The hypothesis is shown to be plausible but with the caveat that if significantly more than the current nine clusters known to have [Fe/H] spreads are found, then re-evaluation will be required.
- Publication:
-
The General Assembly of Galaxy Halos: Structure, Origin and Evolution
- Pub Date:
- August 2016
- DOI:
- 10.1017/S174392131500678X
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1510.00873
- Bibcode:
- 2016IAUS..317..110D
- Keywords:
-
- Globular Clusters;
- Dwarf Galaxies;
- Nuclear Star Clusters;
- Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies;
- Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- To appear in the Proceedings of IAU Symposium 317, The General Assembly of Galaxy Halos: Structure, Origin and Evolution, eds A. Bragaglia, M. Arnaboldi, M. Rejkuba &