Chemical abundances in tidally disrupted globular clusters

D. Yong, J. Meléndez, K. Cunha, A. I. Karakas, J. E. Norris, V. V. Smith

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

    Abstract

    We present abundance measurements in the tidally disrupted globular cluster NGC 6712. In this cluster, there are large star-to-star variations of the light elements C, N, O, F and Na. While such abundance variations are seen in every well-studied globular cluster, they are not found in field stars and indicate that clusters like NGC 6712 cannot provide many field stars and/or field stars do not form in environments with chemical-enrichment histories like those of NGC 6712. Preliminary analysis of NGC 5466, another tidally disrupted cluster, suggests little (if any) abundance variation for O and Na and the abundance ratios [X/Fe] are comparable to field stars at the same metallicity. Therefore, globular clusters like NGC 5466 may have been Galactic building blocks.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationStar clusters
    Subtitle of host publicationbasic galactic building blocks throughout time and space
    EditorsRichard de Grijs, Richard de Grijs, Jacques Lepine
    Pages157-160
    Number of pages4
    EditionS266
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2009

    Publication series

    NameProceedings of the International Astronomical Union
    NumberS266
    Volume5
    ISSN (Print)1743-9213
    ISSN (Electronic)1743-9221

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