Horizontal Branch Morphology and Mass Loss in Globular Clusters

Details Horizontal Branch Morphology and Mass Loss in Globular Clusters Horizontal Branch Morphology and Mass Loss in Globular Clusters

2008-09-15

arxiv.org/abs/0809.2603v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

13 pages, 5 figures, to appear in ApJ Letters (figure 2 may not display correctly in some PDF viewers)

Scientific paper

10.1086/593149

The connection between mass loss on the red giant branch (RGB) and horizontal branch (HB) morphology in globular clusters (GCs) has long been acknowledged but the mechanisms governing mass loss remains poorly understood from a theoretical perspective. The present study uses synthetic HB models to demonstrate for the first time that alpha-enhancement and a simple relation between mass loss and metallicity can explain the entire range of HB morphology (characterized by the HB type index) observed in old, coeval GCs. The mass loss-metallicity relation accounts naturally for the fact that the most metal poor GCs ([Fe/H] < -2) have redder HBs than is typical of GCs with -2 < [Fe/H] < -1.5 without invoking younger ages. These results may prove useful in studying the contribution of HB stars to integrated light via stellar population synthesis.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Horizontal Branch Morphology and Mass Loss in Globular Clusters does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Horizontal Branch Morphology and Mass Loss in Globular Clusters, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Horizontal Branch Morphology and Mass Loss in Globular Clusters will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-570072