Paper detail

Hubble Space Telescope proper motion (HSTPROMO) catalogs of Galactic globular clusters. II. Kinematic profiles and maps

We present kinematical analyses of 22 Galactic globular clusters using the Hubble Space Telescope proper motion (HSTPROMO) catalogues recently presented in Bellini et al. (2014). For most clusters, this is the first proper-motion study ever performed, and, for many, this is the most detailed kinematic study of any kind. We use cleaned samples of bright stars to determine binned velocity-dispersion and velocity-anisotropy radial profiles and two-dimensional velocity-dispersion spatial maps. Using these profiles, we search for correlations between cluster kinematics and structural properties. We find that: (1) more centrally-concentrated clusters have steeper radial velocity-dispersion profiles; (2) on average, at 1σconfidence in two dimensions, the photometric and kinematic centres of globular clusters agree to within ~1", with a cluster-to-cluster rms of 4" (including observational uncertainties); (3) on average, the cores of globular clusters have isotropic velocity distributions to within 1% (σ_t/σ_r = 0.992 +/- 0.005), with a cluster-to-cluster rms of 2% (including observational uncertainties); (4) clusters generally have mildly radially anisotropic velocity distributions (σ_t/σ_r ~ 0.8-1.0) near the half-mass radius, with bigger deviations from isotropy for clusters with longer relaxation times; (5) there is a relation between σ_minor/σ_major and ellipticity, such that the more flattened clusters in the sample tend to be more anisotropic, with σ_minor/σ_major ~ 0.9-1.0. Aside from these general results and correlations, the profiles and maps presented here can provide a basis for detailed dynamical modelling of individual globular clusters. Given the quality of the data, this is likely to provide new insights into a range of topics concerning globular cluster mass profiles, structure, and dynamics.

preprint2015arXivOpen access

Signal facts

What is known right now

Open access4 authors1 topic

Next steps

Decide what to do with this paper

Use like or dislike for the fast social read. The more specific scholarly feedback stays available below when needed.

Log in to curate

Reading frame

Keep the important context close to the paper

Keep the important signals around this paper in one place: votes, save state, collection context, reviews and the metadata you need before deciding what to do next.

Institutions

Add specific reaction

Move through the context

Research map

Open full explorer

Move through nearby people, institutions, topics and adjacent work without leaving the paper page.

Building this map preview

BZPEER is loading the nearby papers, people, topics and institutions for this page.

Structured reviews

0 review(s)

ContributeLeave structured feedbackUse the review template when you have a concrete strength, concern or method question.Open review form

No structured reviews yet. High-signal critique starts here.

Work discussion

0 comment(s)

DiscussAdd a high-signal commentKeep quick notes, caveats and replication pointers separate from formal reviews.Open comment form

No discussion yet. The first strong comment sets the tone.