Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Dec 1997
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997hst..prop.7981z&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #7981
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Hst Proposal Id #7981 Extragalactic Astrophysics
Scientific paper
We propose to use archival WFPC2 images to constrain the concentration and the tidal radii of globular clusters around Virgo ellipticals. These parameters are sensitive probes of the dynamical state of globular clusters. However, WPFC2 programs to date have only measured half-light profiles based an assumed form of the density profile, even though it is feasible to constrain both the concentration and tidal radius independently. Therefore, our program aims to use the large number of archival WFPC2 pointings in the direction of M87 and other Virgo ellipticals to determine the structural parameters of globular clusters in these galaxies. In particular, we will use the tidal radii in conjunction with other estimates of the potential well of the galaxy such as X-ray data and stellar absorption lines, to constrain the mass profile of the galaxy and the globular cluster orbits. For the concentration, we will test for correlations with the position of the globular cluster within its host galaxy, as found for the Galactic globular cluster system. Moreover, this database will be invaluable for understanding the very large number of low-mass x-ray binaries {LMXRBs} expected to be discovered in these systems by AXAF. M87 is an excellent place to test for the relationship of LMXRBs to globular cluster properties because the very large number of clusters will overcome the small number statistics of Galactic studies.
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