scholarly journals New insights into star cluster evolution towards energy equipartition

2021 ◽  
Vol 504 (1) ◽  
pp. L12-L16
Author(s):  
Václav Pavlík ◽  
Enrico Vesperini
Keyword(s):  
Radial Velocity ◽  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Velocity Dispersion ◽  
Tangential Velocity ◽  
Star Cluster ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Stellar Kinematics ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
Velocity Anisotropy ◽  
Energy Equipartition

ABSTRACT We present the results of a study aimed at exploring the evolution towards energy equipartition in star cluster models with different initial degrees of anisotropy in the velocity distribution. Our study reveals a number of novel aspects of the cluster dynamics and shows that the rate of evolution towards energy equipartition (i) depends on the initial degree of radial velocity anisotropy – it is more rapid for more radially anisotropic systems; and (ii) differs for the radial and the tangential components of the velocity dispersion. (iii) The outermost regions of the initially isotropic system evolve towards a state of ‘inverted’ energy equipartition in which high-mass stars have a larger velocity dispersion than low-mass stars – this inversion originates from the mass dependence of the tangential velocity dispersion whereas the radial velocity dispersion shows no anomaly. Our results add new fundamental elements to the theoretical framework needed to interpret the wealth of recent and upcoming observational studies of stellar kinematics in globular clusters, and shed further light on the link between the clusters’ internal kinematics, their formation, and evolutionary history.

scholarly journals Hunting for intermediate-mass black holes in globular clusters: an astrometric study of NGC 6441

2021 ◽  
Vol 503 (1) ◽  
pp. 1490-1506
Author(s):  
Maximilian Häberle ◽  
Mattia Libralato ◽  
Andrea Bellini ◽  
Laura L Watkins ◽  
Jörg-Uwe Pott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Velocity Dispersion ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
High Mass ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Stellar Kinematics ◽  
Intermediate Mass ◽  
The Core ◽  
Large Telescopes

ABSTRACT We present an astrometric study of the proper motions (PMs) in the core of the globular cluster NGC 6441. The core of this cluster has a high density and observations with current instrumentation are very challenging. We combine ground-based, high-angular-resolution NACO@VLT images with Hubble Space Telescope ACS/HRC data and measure PMs with a temporal baseline of 15 yr for about 1400 stars in the centremost 15 arcsec of the cluster. We reach a PM precision of ∼30 µas yr−1 for bright, well-measured stars. Our results for the velocity dispersion are in good agreement with other studies and extend already existing analyses of the stellar kinematics of NGC 6441 to its centremost region never probed before. In the innermost arcsecond of the cluster, we measure a velocity dispersion of (19.1 ± 2.0) km s−1 for evolved stars. Because of its high mass, NGC 6441 is a promising candidate for harbouring an intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH). We combine our measurements with additional data from the literature and compute dynamical models of the cluster. We find an upper limit of $M_{\rm IMBH} \lt 1.32 \times 10^4\, \textrm{M}_\odot$ but we can neither confirm nor rule out its presence. We also refine the dynamical distance of the cluster to $12.74^{+0.16}_{-0.15}$ kpc. Although the hunt for an IMBH in NGC 6441 is not yet concluded, our results show how future observations with extremely large telescopes will benefit from the long temporal baseline offered by existing high-angular-resolution data.

scholarly journals Kinematics of Disk Stars in the Solar Neighbourhood

1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 574-574
Author(s):  
A.E. Gómez ◽  
S. Grenier ◽  
S. Udry ◽  
M. Haywood ◽  
V. Sabas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dispersion Relation ◽  
Radial Velocity ◽  
Velocity Dispersion ◽  
Tangential Velocity ◽  
Thin Disk ◽  
The Other ◽  
Proper Motions ◽  
Velocity Data ◽  
Kinematic Data ◽  
Radial Velocity Data

Using Hipparcos parallaxes and proper motions together with radial velocity data and individual ages estimated from isochones, the velocity ellipsoid has been determined as a function of age. On the basis of the available kinematic data two different samples were considered: a first one (7789 stars) for which only tangential velocities were calculated and a second one containing 3104 stars with available U, V and W velocity components and total velocities ≤ 65 km.s-1. The main conclusions are: -Mixing is not complete at about 0.8-1 Gyr. -The shape of the velocity ellipsoid changes with time getting rounder from σu/σv/σ-w = 1/0.63/0.42 ± 0.04 at about 1 Gyr to1/0.7/0.62 ±0.04 at 4-5 Gyr. -The age-velocity-dispersion relation (from the sample with kinematical selection) rises to a maximum, thereafter remaining roughly constant; there is no dynamically significant evolution of the disk after about 4-5 Gyr. -Among the stars with solar metallicities and log(age) > 9.8 two groups are identified: one has typical thin disk characteristics, the other is older than 10 Gyr and lags the LSR at about 40 km.s-1 . -The variation of the tangential velocity with age(without selection on the tangential velocity) shows a discontinuity at about 10 Gyr, which may be attributed to stars typically of the thick disk populations for ages > 10 Gyr.

scholarly journals Kinematics of the outskirts of S0 galaxies from PNe and GCs

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (S321) ◽  
pp. 290-290
Author(s):  
A. Cortesi ◽  
C. Mendes de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Velocity Dispersion ◽  
Spiral Galaxies ◽  
Formation Mechanisms ◽  
Stellar Kinematics ◽  
Lenticular Galaxies ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Flat Rotation Curves ◽  
S0 Galaxies

AbstractThe stellar kinematics of the discs of S0 galaxies (as obtained using planetary nebulae, PNe, and integrated stellar light data) is comparable to that of spiral galaxies, with similar flat rotation curves and falling velocity dispersion profiles, but they present a larger amount of random motions. The only other tracer available to probe the kinematics of individual early-type galaxies are globular clusters (GCs). GCs’ formation is intimately connected to a galaxy major star forming event(s) and GCs are, therefore, good proofs of galaxy formation histories. We directly compare a sample of PNe, GCs, and stellar velocities out to 4 effective radii, in the S0 galaxies NGC 2768 and NGC 1023. In particular, we test a new method for studying GC properties and we find that these two lenticular galaxies are consistent with being formed through different formation mechanisms.

scholarly journals The Radial Velocities of Planetary Nebulae in NGC 3379

1993 ◽  
Vol 155 ◽  
pp. 570-570
Author(s):  
Robin Ciardullo ◽  
George Jacoby
Keyword(s):  
Radial Velocity ◽  
Absorption Line ◽  
Planetary Nebula ◽  
Velocity Dispersion ◽  
Planetary Nebulae ◽  
Elliptical Galaxies ◽  
Emission Lines ◽  
Surface Photometry ◽  
Stellar Kinematics ◽  
Velocity Measurements

Several authors have analyzed the kinematics of elliptical galaxies using surface photometry in combination with absorption line velocity dispersion measurements. However, these analyses never explore the halos of galaxies, since the best absorption line measurements extend only ∼1 re. The only way to extend our knowledge of stellar kinematics to larger radii is to use the emission lines of planetary nebula for radial velocity measurements.

scholarly journals Ultra-Compact Dwarf Galaxies – More Massive than Allowed?

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (S246) ◽  
pp. 427-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Hilker ◽  
S. Mieske ◽  
H. Baumgardt ◽  
J. Dabringhausen
Keyword(s):  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Stellar Population ◽  
Velocity Dispersion ◽  
Dwarf Galaxies ◽  
Population Models ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Early Type ◽  
Dynamical Mass ◽  
Dispersion Diagram

AbstractDynamical mass estimates of ultra-compact dwarfs galaxies and massive globular clusters in the Fornax and Virgo clusters and around the giant elliptical Cen A have revealed some surprising results: 1) above ~106M⊙ the mass-to-light (M/L) ratio increases with the objects' mass; 2) some UCDs/massive GCs show high M/L values (4 to 6) that are not compatible with standard stellar population models; and 3) in the luminosity-velocity dispersion diagram, UCDs deviate from the well-defined relation of “normal” GCs, being more in line with the Faber-Jackson relation of early-type galaxies. In this contribution, we present the observational evidences for high mass-to-light ratios of UCDs and discuss possible explanations for them.

scholarly journals The interaction between supermassive black holes and globular clusters

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (S312) ◽  
pp. 118-121
Author(s):  
Mario Spera ◽  
Manuel Arca-Sedda ◽  
Roberto Capuzzo-Dolcetta
Keyword(s):  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Star Cluster ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Host Galaxy ◽  
Formation Mechanisms ◽  
Intermediate Mass ◽  
Stellar Cluster ◽  
Hubble Sequence ◽  
Upper Limit ◽  
Almost All

AbstractAlmost all galaxies along the Hubble sequence host a compact massive object (CMO) in their center. The CMO can be either a supermassive black hole (SMBH) or a very dense stellar cluster, also known as nuclear star cluster (NSC). Generally, heavier galaxies (mass ≳ 1011 M⊙) host a central SMBH while lighter show a central NSC. Intermediate mass hosts, instead, contain both a NSC and a SMBH. One possible formation mechanisms of a NSC relies on the dry-merger (migratory) scenario, in which globular clusters (GCs) decay toward the center of the host galaxy and merge. In this framework, the absence of NSCs in high-mass galaxies can be imputed to destruction of the infalling GCs by the intense tidal field of the central SMBH. In this work, we report preliminary results of N-body simulations performed using our high-resolution, direct, code HiGPUs, to investigate the effects of a central SMBH on a single GC orbiting around it. By varying either the mass of the SMBH and the mass of the host galaxy, we derived an upper limit to the mass of the central SMBH, and thus to the mass of the host, above which the formation of a NSC is suppressed.

scholarly journals Imprints of evolution on the internal kinematics of Globular Clusters

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (S351) ◽  
pp. 544-548
Author(s):  
Laura L. Watkins ◽  
Roeland P. van der Marel ◽  
Andrea Bellini ◽  
Mattia Libralato ◽  
Jay Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Proper Motions ◽  
Transfer Energy ◽  
Space Telescope ◽  
Velocity Anisotropy ◽  
Energy Equipartition ◽  
Age Of The Universe ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Universe

AbstractGlobular clusters are collisional systems, meaning that the stars inside them interact on timescales much shorter than the age of the Universe. These frequent interactions transfer energy between stars and set up observable trends that tell the story of a cluster’s evolution. This contribution focuses on what we can learn by studying velocity anisotropy and energy equipartition in globular clusters with Hubble Space Telescope proper motions.

scholarly journals Dynamical modelling of globular clusters: challenges for the robust determination of IMBH candidates

2020 ◽  
Vol 499 (4) ◽  
pp. 4646-4665
Author(s):  
Francisco I Aros ◽  
Anna C Sippel ◽  
Alessandra Mastrobuono-Battisti ◽  
Abbas Askar ◽  
Paolo Bianchini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Globular Clusters ◽  
High Mass ◽  
False Detection ◽  
Velocity Anisotropy ◽  
Upper Limits ◽  
Dynamical Method ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Open Question ◽  
Dynamical Modelling

ABSTRACT The presence or absence of intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) at the centre of Milky Way globular clusters (GCs) is still an open question. This is due to either observational restrictions or limitations in the dynamical modelling method; in this work, we explore the latter. Using a sample of high-end Monte Carlo simulations of GCs, with and without a central IMBH, we study the limitations of spherically symmetric Jeans models assuming constant velocity anisotropy and mass-to-light ratio. This dynamical method is one of the most widely used modelling approaches to identify a central IMBH in observations. With these models, we are able to robustly identify and recover the mass of the central IMBH in our simulation with a high-mass IMBH ($M_{\rm IMBH}/M_{\rm GC}\sim 4{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$). Simultaneously, we show that it is challenging to confirm the existence of a low-mass IMBH ($M_{\rm IMBH}/M_{\rm GC}\sim 0.3{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$), as both solutions with and without an IMBH are possible within our adopted error bars. For simulations without an IMBH, we do not find any certain false detection of an IMBH. However, we obtain upper limits that still allow for the presence of a central IMBH. We conclude that while our modelling approach is reliable for the high-mass IMBH and does not seem to lead towards a false detection of a central IMBH, it lacks the sensitivity to robustly identify a low-mass IMBH and to definitely rule out the presence of an IMBH when it is not there.

scholarly journals Kinematics of Star Clusters in M33: Distinct Populations

2002 ◽  
Vol 207 ◽  
pp. 160-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupali Chandar ◽  
Luciana Bianchi ◽  
Holland C. Ford ◽  
Ata Sarajedini
Keyword(s):  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Velocity Dispersion ◽  
Star Cluster ◽  
Substantial Portion ◽  
Metal Abundance ◽  
Cluster Properties ◽  
Best Fit ◽  
Composite Disk

We analyse star cluster properties in the nearby spiral galaxy M33, combining our extensive HST WFPC2 photometry and ground-based follow up spectroscopy. These data show that cluster velocity dispersion increases with age. Simulations comparing synthetic disk and halo populations with observations indicate a composite disk/halo system for the old M33 clusters. The best fit fraction of 85 ± 5% halo plus 15 ± 5% disk differs from that found in the Milky Way, where ∼ 30% of the globular clusters are metal rich objects associated with the bulge and/or thick disk. Spectroscopic line indices for a halo subsample (17 objects) reveal an age spread of ∼ 5 — 7 Gyr, and little progression in metal abundance with age. This is consistent with a chaotic formation for a substantial portion of the M33 halo, and also consistent with an accretion origin for a large number of the halo clusters.

scholarly journals Internal kinematics of M10 and M71

2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (3) ◽  
pp. 4548-4557
Author(s):  
Nicholas A Barth ◽  
Jeffrey M Gerber ◽  
Owen M Boberg ◽  
Eileen D Friel ◽  
Enrico Vesperini
Keyword(s):  
Radial Velocity ◽  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Velocity Dispersion ◽  
Stellar Populations ◽  
Line Of Sight ◽  
Rotational Analysis ◽  
Region 10 ◽  
Inner Region

ABSTRACT We present a study of the internal kinematics of two globular clusters, M10 (NGC 6254) and M71 (NGC 6838), using individual radial velocity (RV) measurements obtained from observations using the Hydra multiobject spectrograph on the WIYN 3.5 m telescope. We measured 120 RVs for stars in M10, of which 107 were determined to be cluster members. In M71, we measured 82 RVs and determined 78 of those measurements belonged to cluster members. Using the cluster members, we determine a mean RV of 75.9 ± 4.0 (s.d.) km s−1 and −22.9 ± 2.2 (s.d.) km s−1 for M10 and M71, respectively. We combined the Hydra RV measurements with literature samples and performed a line-of-sight rotational analysis on both clusters. Our analysis has not revealed a statistically significant rotation in either of these clusters with the exception of the inner region (10–117 arcsec) of M10 for which we find hints of a marginally significant rotation with amplitude Vrot = 1.14 ± 0.18 km s−1. For M10, we calculate a central velocity dispersion of σ0 = 5.44 ± 0.61 km s−1, which gives a ratio of the amplitude of rotation to the central velocity dispersion Vrot/σ0 = 0.21 ± 0.04. We also explored the rotation of the multiple stellar populations identified in M10 and M71 and found rotation (or lack thereof) in each population consistent with each other and the cluster global rotation signatures.

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