TY - JOUR
T1 - A dynamical signature of multiple stellar populations in 47 tucanae
AU - Richer, Harvey B.
AU - Heyl, Jeremy
AU - Anderson, Jay
AU - Kalirai, Jason S.
AU - Shara, Michael M.
AU - Dotter, Aaron
AU - Fahlman, Gregory G.
AU - Rich, R. Michael
PY - 2013/7/1
Y1 - 2013/7/1
N2 - Based on the width of its main sequence, and an actual observed split when viewed through particular filters, it is widely accepted that 47 Tucanae contains multiple stellar populations. In this contribution, we divide the main sequence of 47 Tuc into four color groups, which presumably represent stars of various chemical compositions. The kinematic properties of each of these groups are explored via proper motions, and a strong signal emerges of differing proper-motion anisotropies with differing main-sequence color; the bluest main-sequence stars exhibit the largest proper-motion anisotropy which becomes undetectable for the reddest stars. In addition, the bluest stars are also the most centrally concentrated. A similar analysis for Small Magellanic Cloud stars, which are located in the background of 47 Tuc on our frames, yields none of the anisotropy exhibited by the 47 Tuc stars. We discuss implications of these results for possible formation scenarios of the various populations.
AB - Based on the width of its main sequence, and an actual observed split when viewed through particular filters, it is widely accepted that 47 Tucanae contains multiple stellar populations. In this contribution, we divide the main sequence of 47 Tuc into four color groups, which presumably represent stars of various chemical compositions. The kinematic properties of each of these groups are explored via proper motions, and a strong signal emerges of differing proper-motion anisotropies with differing main-sequence color; the bluest main-sequence stars exhibit the largest proper-motion anisotropy which becomes undetectable for the reddest stars. In addition, the bluest stars are also the most centrally concentrated. A similar analysis for Small Magellanic Cloud stars, which are located in the background of 47 Tuc on our frames, yields none of the anisotropy exhibited by the 47 Tuc stars. We discuss implications of these results for possible formation scenarios of the various populations.
KW - Hertzsprung Russell and diagrams
KW - globular clusters: individual (47 Tuc)
KW - stars: Population II
KW - stars: kinematics and dynamics
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84879663184&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1088/2041-8205/771/1/L15
DO - 10.1088/2041-8205/771/1/L15
M3 - Article
SN - 2041-8205
VL - 771
JO - Astrophysical Journal Letters
JF - Astrophysical Journal Letters
IS - 1
M1 - L15
ER -