Potential for supernova-induced chemical enrichment of protoglobular cluster clouds

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/164162· OSTI ID:5492166

Dopita, M A; Smith, G H

This paper seeks to explain the large internal abundance variations that are seen in the globular cluster Omega Cen in terms of supernova-induced chemical enrichment that occurred when the cluster was still largely in a gaseous phase and star formation was continuing. Using a simple power-law density model of this protoglobular gas cloud, the conditions under which this can occur have been established analytically. Clouds less massive than about 100,000 solar masses are completely disrupted by supernova explosions in their adiabatic phase. In clouds of greater mass, supernova explosions occurring near the tidal radius tend to lose their hot gas and metals to the intercloud medium. For explosions occurring closer to the mass center the ejecta must be slowed below the escape velocity, and this can only occur in clouds more massive than about 3 x 10 to the 6th solar masses. If this condition is met, then the slow isothermal momentum-conserving shocks generated by the supernova explosions may eventually induce secondary star formation. For such shocks converging on the mass center, it is found that a cloud mass of at least 10 to the 7th solar masses is required for this process to be efficient. From the observed properties of Omega Cen, a primordial mass of order 10 to the 8th solar masses is estimated, which emphasizes the unusual character of this object. 39 references.

• Research Organization: Mount Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatories, Canberra, Australia; Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Victoria, Canada
• OSTI ID: 5492166
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 304; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABUNDANCE
ADIABATIC PROCESSES
ATMOSPHERES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMOCHEMISTRY
SHOCK WAVES
STAR CLUSTERS
STAR EVOLUTION
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS