scholarly journals Determination of dynamical ages of open clusters through the A+ parameter – I

Author(s):  
Khushboo K Rao ◽  
Kaushar Vaidya ◽  
Manan Agarwal ◽  
Souradeep Bhattacharya

Abstract The sedimentation level of blue straggler stars (BSS) has been shown to be a great tool to investigate the dynamical states of globular clusters (GCs). The area enclosed between the cumulative radial distributions of BSS and a reference population up to the half-mass radius of the clusters, $A^+_{\mathrm{rh}}$, is known to be a measure of the sedimentation of BSS in GCs. In this work, we calculate $A^+_{\mathrm{rh}}$ for 11 open clusters (OCs) using a combined list of main-sequence turn-off stars, sub-giant branch stars, and red-giant branch stars as reference population. The BSS, the reference populations, and the cluster members are identified using the proper motions and parallaxes from the Gaia DR2 data. In a subset of clusters, the BSS are confirmed cluster members on the basis of radial velocity information available in the literature. Using the Pearson and Spearman rank correlation coefficients, we find weak correlations between the estimated values of $A^+_{\mathrm{rh}}$ and other markers of dynamical ages of the clusters, i.e. the number of central relaxations a cluster has experienced since its formation, and the structural parameters of the clusters. Based on statistical tests, we find that these correlations are similar to the corresponding correlations among the less evolved GCs, albeit within large errors.

2018 ◽  
Vol 618 ◽  
pp. A134 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Mucciarelli ◽  
M. Salaris ◽  
L. Monaco ◽  
P. Bonifacio ◽  
X. Fu ◽  
...  

We present Li, Na, Al, and Fe abundances of 199 lower red giant branch star members of the stellar system Omega Centauri, using high-resolution spectra acquired with FLAMES at the Very Large Telescope. The A(Li) distribution is peaked at A(Li) ∼ 1 dex with a prominent tail towards lower values. The peak of the distribution well agrees with the lithium abundances measured in lower red giant branch stars in globular clusters and Galactic field stars. Stars with A(Li) ∼ 1 dex are found at metallicities lower than [Fe/H] ∼ –1.3 dex but they disappear at higher metallicities. On the other hand, Li-poor stars are found at all metallicities. The most metal-poor stars exhibit a clear Li–Na anti-correlation, where about 30% of the sample have A(Li) lower than ∼0.8 dex, while these stars represent a small fraction of normal globular clusters. Most of the stars with [Fe/H] > –1.6 dex are Li poor and Na rich. The Li depletion measured in these stars is not observed in globular clusters with similar metallicities and we demonstrate that it is not caused by the proposed helium enhancements and/or young ages. Hence, these stars formed from a gas already depleted in lithium. Finally, we note that Omega Centauri includes all the populations (Li-normal/Na-normal, Li-normal/Na-rich, and Li-poor/Na-rich stars) observed, to a lesser extent, in mono-metallic GCs.


1984 ◽  
Vol 105 ◽  
pp. 123-138
Author(s):  
R.D. Cannon

This review will attempt to do two things: (i) discuss some of the data which are available for testing the theory of evolution of low mass stars, and (ii) point out some problem areas where observations and theory do not seem to agree very well. This is of course too vast a field of research to be covered in one brief review, so I shall concentrate on one particular aspect, namely the study of star clusters and especially their colour-magnitude (CM) diagrams. Star clusters provide large samples of stars at the same distance and with the same age, and the CM diagram gives the easiest way of comparing theoretical predictions with observations, although crucial evidence is also provided by spectroscopic abundance analyses and studies of variable stars. Since this is primarily a review of observational data it is natural to divide it into two parts: (i) galactic globular clusters, and (ii) old and intermediate-age open clusters. Some additional evidence comes from Local Group galaxies, especially now that CM diagrams which reach the old main sequence are becoming available. For each class of cluster I shall consider successive stages of evolution from the main sequence, up the hydrogen-burning red giant branch, and through the helium-burning giant phase.


2019 ◽  
Vol 624 ◽  
pp. A26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Souradeep Bhattacharya ◽  
Kaushar Vaidya ◽  
W. P. Chen ◽  
Giacomo Beccari

Context. Blue straggler stars (BSSs) are observed in Galactic globular clusters and old open clusters. The radial distribution of BSSs has been used to diagnose the dynamical evolution of globular clusters. For the first time, with a reliable sample of BSSs identified with Gaia DR2, we conduct such an analysis for an open cluster. Aims. We aim to identify members, including BSSs, of the oldest known Galactic open cluster Berkeley 17 with the Gaia DR2 proper motions and parallaxes. We study the radial distribution of the BSS population to understand the dynamical evolution of the cluster. Methods. We selected cluster members to populate the colour magnitude diagram in the Gaia filters. Cluster parameters are derived using the brightest members. The BSSs and giant branch stars are identified, and their radial distributions are compared. The segregation of BSSs is also evaluated with respect to the giant branch stars using the minimum spanning tree (MST) analysis. Results. We determine Berkeley 17 to be at 3138.6−352.9+285.5 pc. We find 23 BSS cluster members, only two of which were previously identified. We find a bimodal radial distribution of BSSs supported by findings from the MST method. Conclusions. The bimodal radial distribution of BSSs in Berkeley 17 indicates that they have just started to sink towards the cluster centre, placing Berkeley 17 with globular clusters of intermediate dynamical age. This is the first such determination for an open cluster.


2016 ◽  
Vol 152 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian I. Johnson ◽  
Nelson Caldwell ◽  
R. Michael Rich ◽  
Catherine A. Pilachowski ◽  
Tiffany Hsyu

2018 ◽  
Vol 616 ◽  
pp. A164 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Martins

Context. Synthetic photometry is a great tool for studying globular clusters, especially for understanding the nature of their multiple populations. Aims. Our goal is to quantify the errors on synthetic photometry that are caused by uncertainties on stellar and observational/calibration parameters. These errors can be taken into account when building synthetic color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs) that are to be compared to observed CMDs. Methods. We have computed atmosphere models and synthetic spectra for two stars, Pollux and Procyon, that have stellar parameters typical of turn-off and bottom red giant branch stars in globular clusters. We then varied the effective temperature, surface gravity, microturbulence, the carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen abundances, and [Fe/H]. We quantified the effect on synthetic photometry in the following filters: Johnson UBVRI and HST F275W, F336W, F410M, F438W, F555W, F606W, and F814W. We also estimated the effects of extinction, atmospheric correction, and of the Vega reference spectrum on the resulting photometry. In addition, we tested the ability of our models to reproduce the observed spectral energy distribution and observed photometry of the two stars. Results. We show that variations are generally stronger in blue filters, especially those below 4500 Å. Dispersions on synthetic colors due to uncertainties on stellar parameters vary between less than 0.01 and to 0.04 magnitude, depending on the choice of filters. Uncertainties on the zero points, the extinction law, or the atmospheric correction affect the resulting colors at a level of a few 0.01 magnitudes in a systematic way. The models reproduce the flux-calibrated spectral energy distribution of both stars well. Comparison between synthetic and observed UBVRI photometry shows a variable degree of (dis)agreement. The observed differences indicate that different reduction and calibration processes are performed to obtain respectively observed and synthetic photometry, and they call for publication of all the details of the reduction process to produce synthetic photometry at a 0.01 mag level, which is required to interpret observed CMDs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 376-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashish K. Sharma ◽  
Nigel D. Toussaint ◽  
Rosemary Masterson ◽  
Stephen G. Holt ◽  
Chamith S. Rajapakse ◽  
...  

Background: Cortical bone is a significant determinant of bone strength and its deterioration contributes to bone fragility. Thin cortices and increased cortical porosity have been noted in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the “Turnover Mineralization Volume” classification of renal osteodystrophy does not emphasize cortical bone as a key parameter. We aimed to assess trabecular and cortical bone microarchitecture by histomorphometry and micro-CT in patients with CKD G5 and 5D (dialysis). Methods: Transiliac bone biopsies were performed in 14 patients undergoing kidney transplantation (n = 12) and parathyroidectomy (n = 2). Structural parameters were analysed by histomorphometry and micro-CT including trabecular bone volume, thickness (TbTh), number (TbN) and separation and cortical thickness (CtTh) and porosity (CtPo). Indices of bone remodelling and mineralisation were obtained and relationships to bone biomarkers examined. Associations were determined by Spearman’s or Pearson’s rank correlation coefficients. Results: By micro-CT, trabecular parameters were within normal ranges in most patients, but all patients showed very low CtTh (127 ± 44 µm) and high CtPo (60.3 ± 22.5%). CtPo was inversely related to TbN (r = –0.56; p = 0.03) by micro-CT and to TbTh (r = –0.60; p = 0.024) by histomorphometry and correlated to parathyroid hormone values (r = 0.62; p = 0.021). By histomorphometry, bone turnover was high in 50%, low in 21% and normal in 29%, while 36% showed abnormal patterns of mineralization. Significant positive associations were observed between osteoblast surface, osteoclast surface, mineralization surface and bone turnover markers. Conclusions: Deterioration of cortical ­microarchitecture despite predominantly normal trabecular parameters reinforces the importance of comprehensive cortical evaluation in patients with CKD.


2018 ◽  
Vol 616 ◽  
pp. A181 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Monaco ◽  
S. Villanova ◽  
G. Carraro ◽  
A. Mucciarelli ◽  
C. Moni Bidin

Context. Globular clusters are known to host multiple stellar populations, which are a signature of their formation process. The globular cluster E3 is one of the few low-mass globulars that is thought not to host multiple populations. Aims. We investigate red giant branch stars in E3 with the aim of providing a first detailed chemical inventory for this cluster, we determine its radial velocity, and we provide additional insights into the possible presence of multiple populations in this cluster. Methods. We obtained high-resolution FLAMES-UVES/VLT spectra of four red giant branch stars likely members of E3. We performed a local thermodynamic equilibrium abundance analysis based on one-dimensional plane parallel ATLAS9 model atmospheres. Abundances were derived from line equivalent widths or spectrum synthesis. Results. We measured abundances of Na and of iron peak (Fe, V, Cr, Ni, Mn), α(Mg, Si, Ca, Ti), and neutron capture elements (Y, Ba, Eu). The mean cluster heliocentric radial velocity, metallicity, and sodium abundance ratio are νhelio = 12.6 ± 0.4 km s−1(σ = 0.6 ± 0.2 km s−1), [Fe/H] = −0.89 ± 0.08 dex, and [Na/Fe] = 0.18 ± 0.07 dex, respectively. The low Na abundance with no appreciable spread is suggestive of a cluster dominated by first-generation stars in agreement with results based on lower resolution spectroscopy. The low number of stars observed does not allow us to rule out a minor population of second-generation stars. The observed chemical abundances are compatible with the trends observed in Milky Way stars.


2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 983-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Wienold ◽  
T Iwata ◽  
M Sarey Khanie ◽  
E Erell ◽  
E Kaftan ◽  
...  

This study evaluates the performance and robustness of 22 established and newly proposed glare prediction metrics. Experimental datasets of daylight-dominated workplaces in office-like test rooms were collected from studies by seven research groups in six different locations (Argentina, Denmark, Germany, Israel, Japan and the United States). The variability in experimental setups, locations and research teams allowed reliable evaluation of the performance and robustness of glare metrics for daylight-dominated workplaces. Independent statistical methods were applied to individual datasets and also to one combined dataset to evaluate the performance and robustness of the 22 glare metrics. As performance and robustness are not established in literature, we defined performance as: (1) the ability of the metric value to describe the glare scale (evaluated by Spearman rank correlation), and (2) the ability of the metric to distinguish between disturbing and non-disturbing situations (evaluated by diagnostic receiver operating characteristic curve analysis tests). Furthermore, we defined robustness as the ability of a metric to deliver meaningful results when applied to different datasets and to fail as few as possible statistical tests. Average Spearman rank correlation coefficients in the range of 0.55–0.60 as well as average prediction rates to distinguish between disturbing and non-disturbing glare of 70–75% for several of the metrics indicate their reliability. The results also show that metrics considering the saturation effect as a main input in their equation perform better and are more robust in daylight-dominated workplaces than purely contrast-based metrics or purely empirical metrics. In this study, the daylight glare probability (DGP) delivered the highest performance amongst the tested metrics and was also found to be the most robust. Future research should aim to optimise the terms of glare equations which combine contrast and saturation effects, such as DGP, PGSV or UGRexp, to achieve metrics that also perform reliably in dimmer lighting conditions than the ones explored in this study.


2018 ◽  
Vol 614 ◽  
pp. A109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenio Carretta ◽  
Angela Bragaglia

The metal-rich and old bulge globular cluster (GC) NGC 6388 is one of the most massive Galactic GCs (M ~ 106 M⊙). However, the spectroscopic properties of its multiple stellar populations rested only on 32 red giants (only 7 of which observed with UVES, the others with GIRAFFE), given the difficulties in observing a rather distant cluster, heavily contaminated by bulge and disc field stars. We bypassed the problem using the resources of the largest telescope facility ever: the European Southern Observatory (ESO) archive. By selecting member stars identified by other programmes, we derive atmospheric parameters and the full set of abundances for 15 species from high-resolution UVES spectra of another 17 red giant branch stars in NGC 6388. We confirm that no metallicity dispersion is detectable in this GC. About 30% of the stars show the primordial composition of first-generation stars, about 20% present an extremely modified second-generation composition, and 50% have an intermediate composition. The stars are clearly distributed in the Al–O and Na–O planes in three discrete groups. We find substantial hints that more than a single class of polluters is required to reproduce the composition of the intermediate component in NGC 6388. In the heavily polluted component the sum Mg+Al increases as Al increases. The sum Mg+Al+Si is constant, and is the fossil record of hot H-burning at temperatures higher than about 70 MK in the first-generation polluters that contributed to form multiple populations in this cluster.


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