The Milky Way globular cluster system within the context of a closed box

Abstract

Metallicities of the Milky Way globular cluster (GC) system are interpreted within the framework of a closed box model of chemical evolution. Model age-metallicity relations normalised to the Sun are compared with an observed age-metallicity relation constructed from literature data for the Galactic globular clusters and solar neighbourhood dwarf stars. One branch of the GC age-metallicity relation is seen to form a natural extension of the solar neighbourhood relation to low metallicities. Such clusters may fit in situ into the same Galactic closed-box model as many disk stars. Timescales for halo and disk GC formation are computed based on this assumption. However, a single closed box cannot account for a second branch in the GC age-metallicity data. This problem is addressed by assuming that some GCs did not form in situ within the closed box of the Galaxy, but rather were formed within separate parent objects whose chemical evolution was characterised by longer star formation timescales than the Milky Way box. These parent objects were eventually acquired by the Milky Way. Estimates are made of the initial mass and star formation timescale of those objects that contributed GCs to the accreted component of the Milky Way.