Globular cluster orbits and the galactic mass distribution

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Astron. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/113320· OSTI ID:5577361

Innanen, K A; Harris, W E; Webbink, R F

We investigate both the shapes of typical globular cluster orbits and the distribution of galactic mass with distance, using the globular cluster tidal radii as probes of the galactic gravitational field at their perigalactic points. Starting from the way in which cluster energies and angular momenta interact with the galactic potential, we discuss the relationship between the cluster tidal radius and its perigalactic distance, as well as the expected distribution of tidally limited cluster densities.0.18/. (6) This M(R) relationship holds to distances at least as great as Rapprox.44 kpc (the estimated perigalactic distances of the most distant globular clusters). At this point the galactic mass reaches (8.9 +- 2.6) x 10/sup 11/ M/sub sun/, with M/L/sub B/ = (59 +- 17)M/sub sun//L/sub B/(sun). Finally, we suggest that at distances typical of the dwarf spheroidal satellites of the Galaxy, tidal stripping time scales become so great that these systems have yet to reach tidal equilibrium.

• Research Organization: Physics Department, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
• OSTI ID: 5577361
• Journal Information: Astron. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astron. J.; (United States) Vol. 88:3; ISSN ANJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANGULAR MOMENTUM
BASIC INTERACTIONS
DISTRIBUTION
ENERGY
GALAXIES
GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS
GRAVITATIONAL INTERACTIONS
INTERACTIONS
LUMINOSITY
MASS
MILKY WAY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
ORBITS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
STAR CLUSTERS
TIDE