A Double Main Sequence in the Globular Cluster NGC 6397

Details A Double Main Sequence in the Globular Cluster NGC 6397 A Double Main Sequence in the Globular Cluster NGC 6397

2011-10-05

arxiv.org/abs/1110.1077v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Solar and Stellar Astrophysics

19 pages, 11 figures, accepted for pubblication in ApJ

Scientific paper

High-precision multi-band HST photometry reveals that the main sequence (MS) of the globular cluster NGC 6397 splits into two components, containing ~30% and ~70% of the stars. This double sequence is consistent with the idea that the cluster hosts two stellar populations: (i) a primordial population that has a composition similar to field stars, and containing ~30% of the stars, and (ii) a second generation with enhanced sodium and nitrogen, depleted carbon and oxygen, and a slightly enhanced helium abundance (Delta Y~0.01). We examine the color difference between the two sequences across a variety of color baselines and find that the second sequence is anomalously faint in m_F336W. Theoretical isochrones indicate that this could be due to NH depletion.

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