arXiv · 0912.2055
Multiple stellar populations in the Galactic globular cluster NGC 6752
Abstract
We have carried out high-precision photometry on a large number of archival HST images of the Galactic globular cluster NGC 6752, to search for signs of multiple stellar populations. We find a broadened main sequence, and demonstrate that this broadening cannot be attributed either to binaries or to photometric errors. There is also some indication of a main-sequence split. No significant spread could be found along the subgiant branch, however. Ground-based photometry reveals that in the U vs. (U-B) color-magnitude diagram the red-giant branch exhibits a clear color spread, which we have been able to correlate with variations in Na and O abundances. In particular the Na-rich, O-poor stars identified by Carretta et al. (2007) define a sequence on the red side of the red-giant branch, while Na-poor, O-rich stars populate a bluer, more dispersed portion of the red-giant branch.
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A. P. Milone, G. Piotto, I. R. King, L. R. Bedin, J. Anderson, A. F. Marino, Y. Momany, L. Malavolta, S. Villanova. 2009-12-10. Multiple stellar populations in the Galactic globular cluster NGC 6752. https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637x%2F709%2F2%2F1183
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