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Enrichment by supernovae in globular clusters with multiple populations
Jae-Woo Lee1, Young-Woon Kang, Jina Lee
1Department of Astronomy and Space Science, ARCSEC, Sejong University, Seoul 143-747, Korea. jaewoolee@sejong.ac.kr
Nature
|November 27, 2009
Summary
Globular clusters, like omega Centauri, may be remnants of disrupted dwarf galaxies. Their chemical variations suggest origins from massive early galaxies, not just internal stellar pollution.
Area of Science:
- Astronomy
- Astrophysics
- Galactic Evolution
Background:
- Omega Centauri, the Milky Way's most massive globular cluster, is theorized to be a disrupted dwarf galaxy core.
- Globular clusters exhibit chemical inhomogeneities, attributed to supernovae (metal enrichment) and potentially internal stellar pollution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the origins of chemical variations in globular clusters.
- To compare calcium abundances in seven globular clusters with omega Centauri.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of calcium (Ca) abundances in seven globular clusters.
- Comparison of these abundances with data from omega Centauri.
Main Results:
- Calcium and heavy element abundances in globular clusters are linked to supernovae explosions.
- The gravitational potential of current clusters is insufficient to retain supernova ejecta.
Conclusions:
- Globular clusters, similar to omega Centauri, are likely relics of more massive, disrupted primeval dwarf galaxies.
- This supports the hierarchical merging model for galaxy formation.
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