Diluting the material forming the second generation stars in globular clusters: the contribution by unevolved stars

In this short communication we consider the possibility that stars less evolved than the polluters are the source of the dilution needed to explain the observed composition of second-generation globular cluster (GC) stars and the Na-O and Mg-Al anticorrelations. If these stars can lose 0.5–1% of the...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin) 2010-10, Vol.521, p.A54
Main Authors: Gratton, R. G., Carretta, E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astronomy
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
globular clusters: general
stars: abundances
stars: atmospheres
stars: population II
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In this short communication we consider the possibility that stars less evolved than the polluters are the source of the dilution needed to explain the observed composition of second-generation globular cluster (GC) stars and the Na-O and Mg-Al anticorrelations. If these stars can lose 0.5–1% of their mass during the relevant epochs, there is enough diluting material to produce the observed anticorrelations. In this case, the original mass of proto-GCs was several tens times higher than the current mass of GCs. While not strictly impossible, this is a stringent hypothesis that needs more support. Should this scenario be found true, then the link between the primordial (first-generation) population in GC and the field population would be very strong.
ISSN:0004-6361
1432-0746
DOI:10.1051/0004-6361/201014997