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Comments on the Formation of Globular Clusters from Coalesced Clouds
The Astrophysical Journal
|October 27, 1999
Summary
Collisions between large proto-Galactic halo clouds likely shaped globular cluster formation. This explains their low star counts, chemical uniformity, and metallicity compared to halo stars.
Area of Science:
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Galactic Evolution
- Star Formation
Background:
- The proto-Galactic halo may have contained substantial cloudy structures.
- Collisions between these clouds were likely frequent during galactic infall.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how cloud collisions influenced the properties of globular clusters.
- To explain observed characteristics of Milky Way globular clusters.
Main Methods:
- The study considers a model where globular clusters form from progenitor clouds.
- These progenitor clouds are assumed to form from coalescing smaller cloud structures.
Main Results:
- Cloud collisions could account for the low stellar fraction in globular clusters relative to the halo.
- This model explains the chemical homogeneity of globular clusters regarding heavy elements.
- It also addresses why the lowest metallicity globular clusters are not as metal-poor as some halo field stars.
Conclusions:
- Collisional processes in the early Galaxy played a significant role in shaping globular cluster properties.
- The proposed formation scenario provides a coherent explanation for key observed cluster characteristics.