The kinematics and dynamics of the galactic globular cluster system

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Galactic Rotation, Globular Clusters, Milky Way Galaxy, Dispersion, Kinematics, Random Processes, Velocity Distribution

Scientific paper

Consideration is given to models of the kinematics and consequent dynamics of Galactic globular clusters. A framework is constructed within which it is possible to establish the constraints imposed upon cluster motions by the four observed kinematical quantities (three position components and line-of-sight velocity), and a range of possible kinematical models is obtained for a sample of 66 globular clusters. The observational data are found to be consistent with the cluster system having a uniform rotation velocity independent of position and metallicity amounting to 60 + or - 26 km/sec for a solar rotation velocity of 220 km/sec. The observed line-of-sight velocity dispersion of the population is shown to increase with galactocentric distance, best fitting a simple isotropic and isothermal distribution. If the mean eccentricity of cluster orbits is allowed to depend on scale, a wide range of eccentricities is consistent with the data; however, it is found that all acceptable models imply galactic rotation curves which are either flat or rise with radius and predict a low circular velocity at the solar radius. The globular cluster data are thus concluded to demonstrate the existence of a massive Galactic halo and confirm recent downward revisions of the amplitude of the Galactic rotation curve.

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