Physics
Scientific paper
Aug 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010noao.prop..228m&link_type=abstract
NOAO Proposal ID #2010B-0228
Physics
Scientific paper
The goal of this project is to confirm chemically that globular clusters are the source of as much as half the population of the Galactic halo. Using moderate-resolution spectroscopy from the SEGUE survey, we have identified a previously unknown population of halo field giants with distinctly strong CN features. CN variations are typically only observed in globular clusters, so these stars are interpreted as immigrants to the halo that originally formed in globular clusters. In one night of Keck/HIRES time, we will obtain high-quality, high- resolution spectra for five such stars, and determine abundances of O, Na, Mg, Al, alpha, iron-peak and neutron-capture elements. With this information we can state clearly whether these unusual CN-strong halo stars carry the full abundance pattern seen in CN-strong globular cluster stars, with depleted C, O, and Mg and enhanced N, Na, and Al. This type of coarse ``chemical tagging'' will allow a clearer division of the Galactic halo into contributions from globular clusters and from dwarf galaxies, and will place constraints on theoretical models of globular cluster formation and evolution.
Grebel Eva
Lai David
Martell Sarah
No associations
LandOfFree
Globular Cluster Contributions to the Galactic Halo 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 Globular Cluster Contributions to the Galactic Halo, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Globular Cluster Contributions to the Galactic Halo will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1124087