SCYON Abstract

Received on September 08 2011

Some Systematics of Galactic Globular Clusters

Authors	Sidney van den Bergh
Affiliation	Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, National Research Council of Canada, 5071 West Saanich Rd., Victoria, B.C. V9E 2E7, Canada
Accepted by	Publication of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Contact	sidney.vandenbergh@nrc.gc.ca
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Abstract

The global properties of all known Galactic globular clusters are examined. The relationship between the luminosities and the metallicities of Galactic globular clusters is found to be complex. Among luminous clusters there is a correlation in the sense that the oldest clusters are slightly more metal deficient than are younger clusters. However, no such clear-cut relationship is found among the faintest globular clusters. The central concentration index C of globular clusters is seen to be independent of metallicity. The dependence of the half-light radii of globular clusters on their Galactocentric distances can be approximated by the relation R_h~ α ~ R^2/3_gc. Clusters with collapsed cores are mostly situated close to the Galactic nucleus. For R_gc < 10 kpc the luminosities and the radii of clusters appear to be uncorrelated. The Galaxy differs from the LMC and the SMC in that it appears to lack highly flattened luminous clusters. Galactic globular clusters with ages ≥ 13.0 Gyr are all of Oosterhoff type II, whereas almost all of those with ages < 13.0 Gyr have been assigned to Oosterhoff type I. Globular clusters with ages < 11.5 Gyr are all located in the outer Galactic halo, have below-average luminosities and above-average radii. On the other hand the very old globular cluster NGC 6522 is situated close to the Galactic nucleus.