The disruption of the low-mass globular cluster E 3
Abstract
We use Gaia DR2 photometry and proper motions to search for the hypothetical tidal tails of the Galactic globular cluster E 3. Using a modified version of a classical decontamination procedure, we are able to identify the presence of an extended structure emerging from the cluster up to r ∼ 1 deg from its centre, thus suggesting that this poorly studied cluster is undergoing a tidal disruption process. These low surface brightness structures are aligned with the direction to the Galactic centre, as expected for a cluster close to its perigalacticon. Different scenarios to explain the important amount of mass lost by this cluster are discussed.
- Publication:
-
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- December 2020
- DOI:
- 10.1093/mnras/staa2864
- arXiv:
- arXiv:2009.11320
- Bibcode:
- 2020MNRAS.499.2157C
- Keywords:
-
- globular clusters: general;
- Galaxy: halo;
- Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies
- E-Print:
- 6 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in MNRAS