On the anomalous balmer line strengths in globular clusters

Authors

Violet Poole
Guy Worthey
Hyun Chul Lee
Jedidiah Serven

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-24-2010

Abstract

Spectral feature index diagrams with integrated globular clusters and simple stellar population models often show that some clusters have weak Hβ, so weak that even the oldest models cannot match the observed feature depths. In this work, we rule out the possibility that abundance mixture effects are responsible for the weak indices unless such changes operate to cool the entire isochrone. We discuss this result in the context of other explanations, including horizontal branch morphology, blue straggler populations, and nebular or stellar emission fill-in, finding a preference for flaring in M giants as an explanation for the Hβ anomaly. © 2010 The American Astronomical Society.

Comments

© Astronomical Journal. Original version available at: http://doi.org/10.1088/0004-6256/139/3/809

Recommended Citation

Violet Poole, et. al., (2010) On the anomalous balmer line strengths in globular clusters.Astronomical Journal139:3809. DOI: http://doi.org/10.1088/0004-6256/139/3/809

First Page

809

Last Page

815

Publication Title

Astronomical Journal

DOI

10.1088/0004-6256/139/3/809