Journal
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
Volume 614, Issue 1, Pages L29-L32Publisher
IOP PUBLISHING LTD
DOI: 10.1086/425320
Keywords
galaxies : evolution; galaxies : interactions; galaxies : starburst; galaxies : star clusters; stars : formation
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
We present a high-resolution simulation of globular cluster formation in a galaxy merger. For the first time in such a simulation, individual star clusters are directly identified and followed on their orbits. We quantitatively compare star formation in the merger to that in the unperturbed galaxies. The merging galaxies show a strong starburst, in sharp contrast to their isolated progenitors. Most star clusters form in the tidal features. With a mass range of 5x10(5)-5x10(6) M-circle dot, they are identified as globular clusters. The merger remnant is an elliptical galaxy. Clusters with different masses or ages have different radial distributions in the galaxy. Our results show that the high specific frequency and bimodal distribution of metallicity observed in elliptical galaxies are natural products of gas-rich mergers, supporting a merger origin for the ellipticals and their globular cluster systems.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available