Spectroscopic studies of stellar populations in globular clusters and field stars: Implications for globular cluster and Milky Way halo formation. Issue Volume 14:Issue S351(2019) (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gratton, Raffaele
• Editors: Bragaglia, Angela; Davies, Melvyn; Sills, Alison; Vesperini, Enrico
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union. Volume 14:Issue S351(2019)
• Page Start: 241
• Page End: 250
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: Globular clusters, -- Lithium, -- Nucleosynthesis; Astronomy -- Congresses; Astronomy -- Periodicals; 520
• DOI: 10.1017/S1743921319007877
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-9213

Abstract

Abstract: We review spectroscopic results concerning multiple stellar populations in globular clusters. The cluster initial mass is the most important parameter determining the fraction of second generation stars. The threshold for the onset of the multiple population phenomenon is 1–3×10 5 M⊙ . Nucleosynthesis is influenced by metallicity: Na/O and Mg/Al anti-correlations are more extended in metal-poor than in metal-rich clusters. Massive clusters are more complex systems than the smaller ones, with several populations characterized by different chemical compositions. The high Li abundance observed in the intermediate second generation stars strongly favours intermediate mass AGB stars as polluters for this class of stars; however, it is well possible that the polluters of extreme second generation stars, that often do not have measurable Li, may be fast rotating massive stars or super-massive stars. The mass budget factor should be a function of the cluster mass, and needs to be large only in massive clusters.