Determining the galactic mass distribution using tidal streams from globular clusters

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

21 pages, 6 figures, published in AJ

Scientific paper

10.1086/300971

We discuss how to use tidal streams from globular clusters to measure the mass distribution of the Milky Way. Recent proper motion determinations for globular clusters from plate measurements and Hipparcos astrometry provide several good candidates for Galactic mass determinations in the intermediate halo, far above the Galactic disk, including Pal 5, NGC 4147, NGC 5024 (M53) and NGC 5466; the remaining Hipparcos clusters provide candidates for measurements several kpc above and below the disk. These clusters will help determine the profile and shape of the inner halo. To aid this effort, we present two methods of mass determination: one, a generalization of rotation-curve mass measurements, which gives the mass and potential from complete position-velocity observations for stream stars; and another using a simple chi^2 estimator, which can be used when only projected positions and radial velocities are known for stream stars. We illustrate the use of the latter method using simulated tidal streams from Pal 5 and find that fairly accurate mass determinations are possible even for relatively poor data sets. Follow-up observations of clusters with proper motion determinations may reveal tidal streams; obtaining radial velocity measurements would enable accurate measurements of the mass distribution in the inner Galaxy.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Determining the galactic mass distribution using tidal streams from 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 Determining the galactic mass distribution using tidal streams from globular clusters, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Determining the galactic mass distribution using tidal streams from globular clusters will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-200729

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.