Blue Straggler Population Research Articles

The origins of blue stragglers and binarity in globular clusters

(abridged) We use newly available empirical binary fractions for globular clusters to carry out a direct test of the binary evolution hypothesis, and of collisional channels that involve binary stars. More specifically, using the previously reported correlation between blue straggler numbers and core mass as a benchmark, we test for correlations with the number of binary stars, as well as with the rates of single-single, single-binary, and binary-binary encounters. Surprisingly, we find that the simple correlation with core mass remains by far the strongest predictor of blue straggler population size, even in our joint models. This is despite the fact that the binary fractions themselves strongly anti-correlate with core mass, just as expected in the binary evolution model. At first sight, these results do not fit neatly with either binary evolution or collisional models in their simplest forms. Arguably the simplest and most intriguing possibility to explain this unexpected result is that observational errors on the core binary fractions are larger than the true intrinsic dispersion associated with their dependence on core mass. In the context of the binary evolution model, this would explain why the combination of binary fraction and core mass is a poorer predictor of blue straggler numbers than core mass alone. It would also imply that core mass is a remarkably clean predictor of core binary fractions. This would be of considerable importance for the dynamical evolution of globular clusters, and provides an important benchmark for models attempting to understand their present-day properties.

WIYN OPEN CLUSTER STUDY. XLVIII. THE HARD-BINARY POPULATION OF NGC 188

(abridged) We present an in-depth study of the hard-binary population of the old (7 Gyr) open cluster NGC 188. The main-sequence solar-type hard binaries in NGC 188 are nearly indistinguishable from similar binaries in the Galactic field. We find a global solar-type main-sequence hard-binary frequency in NGC 188 of 29 +/- 3 % for binaries with periods less than 10^4 days. For main-sequence hard binaries in the cluster we observe a log-period distribution that rises towards our detection limit, a roughly Gaussian eccentricity distribution centered on e = 0.35 (for binaries with periods longer than the circularization period), and a secondary-mass distribution that rises towards lower-mass companions. Importantly, the NGC 188 blue straggler binaries show significantly different characteristics than the solar-type main sequence binaries in NGC 188. We observe a blue straggler hard-binary frequency of 76 +/- 19 %, three times that of the main sequence. The blue straggler binary eccentricity - log period distribution is distinct from that of the main sequence at the 99% confidence level, with the majority of the blue straggler binaries having periods of order 1000 days and lower eccentricities. The secondary-mass distribution for these long-period blue straggler binaries is narrow and peaked with a mean value of about 0.5 Msun. Predictions for mass-transfer products are most closely consistent with the binary properties of these NGC 188 blue stragglers, which comprise two-thirds of the blue straggler population. Additionally we compare the NGC 188 binaries to those evolved within the sophisticated Hurley et al. (2005) N-body open cluster simulation. We find that additional simulations with initial conditions that are better motivated by observations are necessary to properly investigate the dynamical evolution of a rich binary population in open clusters like NGC 188.

IDENTIFYING STAR STREAMS IN THE MILKY WAY HALO

We develop statistical methods for identifying star streams in the halo of the Milky Way galaxy that exploit observed spatial and radial velocity distributions. Within a great circle, departures of the observed spatial distribution from random provide a measure of the likelihood of a potential star stream. Comparisons between the radial velocity distribution within a great circle and the radial velocity distribution of the entire sample also measure the statistical significance of potential streams. The radial velocities enable construction of a more powerful joint statistical test for identifying star streams in the Milky Way halo. Applying our method to halo stars in the Hypervelocity Star (HVS) survey, we detect the Sagittarius stream at high significance. Great circle counts and comparisons with theoretical models suggest that the Sagittarius stream comprises 10% to 17% of the halo stars in the HVS sample. The population of blue stragglers and blue horizontal branch stars varies along the stream and is a potential probe of the distribution of stellar populations in the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy prior to disruption.

THE SAGITTARIUS STREAMS IN THE SOUTHERN GALACTIC HEMISPHERE

The structure of the Sagittarius stream in the Southern Galactic hemisphere is analysed with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 8. Parallel to the Sagittarius tidal track, but ~ 10deg away, there is another fainter and more metal-poor stream. We provide evidence that the two streams follow similar distance gradients but have distinct morphological properties and stellar populations. The brighter stream is broader, contains more metal-rich stars and has a richer colour-magnitude diagram with multiple turn-offs and a prominent red clump as compared to the fainter stream. Based on the structural properties and the stellar population mix, the stream configuration is similar to the Northern "bifurcation". In the region of the South Galactic Cap, there is overlapping tidal debris from the Cetus Stream, which crosses the Sagittarius stream. Using both photometric and spectroscopic data, we show that the blue straggler population belongs mainly to Sagittarius and the blue horizontal branch stars belong mainly to the Cetus stream in this confused location in the halo.

Modeling blue stragglers in young clusters

A grid of binary evolution models are calculated for the study of a blue straggler (BS) population in intermediate age (log Age = 7.85–8.95) star clusters. The BS formation via mass transfer and merging is studied systematically using our models. Both Case A and B close binary evolutionary tracks are calculated for a large range of parameters. The results show that BSs formed via Case B are generally bluer and even more luminous than those produced by Case A. Furthermore, the larger range in orbital separations of Case B models provides a probability of producing more BSs than in Case A. Based on the grid of models, several Monte-Carlo simulations of BS populations in the clusters in the age range are carried out. The results show that BSs formed via different channels populate different areas in the color magnitude diagram (CMD). The locations of BSs in CMD for a number of clusters are compared to our simulations as well. In order to investigate the influence of mass transfer efficiency in the models and simulations, a set of models is also calculated by implementing a constant mass transfer efficiency, β = 0.5, during Roche lobe overflow (Case A binary evolution excluded). The result shows BSs can be formed via mass transfer at any given age in both cases. However, the distributions of the BS populations on CMD are different.

THE FIRST DETECTION OF BLUE STRAGGLER STARS IN THE MILKY WAY BULGE

We report the first detections of Blue Straggler Stars (BSS) in the bulge of the Milky Way galaxy. Proper motions from extensive space-based observations along a single sight-line allow us to separate a sufficiently clean and well-characterized bulge sample that we are able to detect a small population of bulge objects in the region of the color-magnitude diagram commonly occupied young objects and blue strgglers. However, variability measurements of these objects clearly establish that a fraction of them are blue stragglers. Out of the 42 objects found in this region of the color-magnitude diagram, we estimate that at least 18 are genuine BSS. We normalize the BSS population by our estimate of the number of horizontal branch stars in the bulge in order to compare the bulge to other stellar systems. The BSS fraction is clearly discrepant from that found in stellar clusters. The blue straggler population of dwarf spheroidals remains a subject of debate; some authors claim an anticorrelation between the normalised blue straggler fraction and integrated light. If this trend is real, then the bulge may extend it by three orders of magnitude in mass. Conversely, we find that the genuinely young (~5Gy or younger) population in the bulge, must be at most 3.4% under the most conservative scenario for the BSS population.

Blue straggler formation via close binary mass transfer

Several mechanisms of blue straggler (BS) formation via mass transfer in close binaries are studied in this work. Detailed close binary evolutionary models including both Cases A and B are calculated. We follow the evolution of a binary of 1.4 M⊙+ 0.9 M⊙ and compare the evolutionary behaviour of both cases. The results show that Case B is as important as Case A in forming BSs. Moreover, BSs formed via Case B are generally bluer and even more luminous than those produced by Case A, which provides a clue as to the origin of luminous BSs – such as those in M67. Based on the models calculated at 4.0 Gyr of age, a Monte Carlo simulation of the BS population in M67 is carried out using both Case A and Case B scenarios. Five BSs formed via mass transfer were predicted by our simulation and another three by dynamical merger processes. The simulation uses an artificially enlarged sample size for better statistics. The contributions from the different channels are estimated. We also investigate the influence of mass transfer efficiency β during Roche lobe overflow on close binary evolution. The result shows that a high value of β could reproduce the observed data better. The mechanism discussed in this work cannot predict all observed BSs in M67 because many factors are involved in such an old open cluster that affect the formation of BSs. However, we offer a better explanation of blue and luminous BSs in the binary evolution channel.

Multiple stellar populations and their influence on blue stragglers

It has become clear in recent years that globular clusters are not simple stellar populations, but may host chemically distinct sub-populations, typically with an enhanced helium abundance. These helium-rich populations can make up a substantial fraction of all cluster stars. One of the proposed formation channels for blue straggler stars is the physical collision and merger of two stars. In the context of multiple populations, collisions between stars with different helium abundances should occur and contribute to the observed blue straggler population. This will affect the predicted blue straggler colour and luminosity function. We quantify this effect by calculating models of mergers resulting from collisions between stars with different helium abundances and using these models to model a merger population. We then compare these results to four observed clusters, NGC 1851, NGC 2808, NGC 5634 and NGC 6093. As in previous studies our models deviate from the observations, particularly in the colour distributions. However, our results are consistent with observations of multiple populations in these clusters. In NGC 2808, our best fitting models include normal and helium enhanced populations, in agreement with helium enhancement inferred in this cluster. The other three clusters show better agreement with models that do not include helium enhancement. We discuss future prospects to improve the modelling of blue straggler populations and the role that the models we present here can play in such a study.

ON THE ANOMALOUS BALMER LINE STRENGTHS IN GLOBULAR CLUSTERS

Spectral feature index diagrams with integrated globular clusters and simple stellar population models often show that some clusters have weak H beta, so weak that even the oldest models cannot match the observed feature depths. In this work, we rule out the possibility that abundance mixture effects are responsible for the weak indices unless such changes operate to cool the entire isochrone. We discuss this result in the context of other explanations, including horizontal branch morphology, blue straggler populations, and nebular or stellar emission fill-in, finding a preference for flaring in M giants as an explanation for the H beta anomaly.

WIYN OPEN CLUSTER STUDY. XXIV. STELLAR RADIAL-VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS IN NGC 6819

We present the current results from our ongoing radial-velocity survey of the intermediate-age (2.4 Gyr) open cluster NGC 6819. Using both newly observed and other available photometry and astrometry we define a primary target sample of 1454 stars that includes main-sequence, subgiant, giant, and blue straggler stars, spanning a magnitude range of 11<=V<=16.5 and an approximate mass range of 1.1 to 1.6 Msun. Our sample covers a 23 arcminute (13 pc) square field of view centered on the cluster. We have measured 6571 radial velocities for an unbiased sample of 1207 stars in the direction of the open cluster NGC 6819, with a single-measurement precision of 0.4 km/s for most narrow-lined stars. We use our radial-velocity data to calculate membership probabilities for stars with >= 3 measurements, providing the first comprehensive membership study of the cluster core that includes stars from the giant branch through the upper main sequence. We identify 480 cluster members. Additionally, we identify velocity-variable systems, all of which are likely hard binaries that dynamically power the cluster. Using our single cluster members, we find a cluster average radial velocity of 2.34 +/- 0.05 km/s . We use our kinematic cluster members to construct a cleaned color- magnitude diagram from which we identify rich giant, subgiant, and blue straggler populations and a well-defined red clump. The cluster displays a morphology near the cluster turnoff clearly indicative of core convective overshoot. Finally, we discuss a few stars of note, one of which is a short-period red-clump binary that we suggest may be the product of a dynamical encounter.

Stellar Proper Motions in the Galactic Bulge from DeepHubble Space TelescopeACS WFC Photometry

We present stellar proper motions in the Galactic bulge from the Sagittarius Window Eclipsing Extrasolar Search (SWEEPS) project using ACS WFC on HST. Proper motions are extracted for more than 180,000 objects, with >81,000 measured to accuracy better than 0.3 mas yr−1 in both coordinates. We report several results based on these measurements: (1) Kinematic separation of bulge from disk allows a sample of >15,000 bulge objects to be extracted based on ≥6 σ detections of proper motion, with <0.2% contamination from the disk. This includes the first detection of a candidate bulge blue straggler population. (2) Armed with a photometric distance modulus on a star-by-star basis, and using the large number of stars with high-quality proper-motion measurements to overcome intrinsic scatter, we dissect the kinematic properties of the bulge as a function of distance along the line of sight. This allows us to extract the stellar circular speed curve from proper motions alone, which we compare with the circular speed curve obtained from radial velocities. (3) We trace the variation of the {l, b} velocity ellipse as a function of depth. (4) Finally, we use the density-weighted {l, b} proper-motion ellipse produced from the tracer stars to assess the kinematic membership of the 16 transiting planet candidates discovered in the Sagittarius Window; the kinematic distribution of the planet candidates is consistent with that of the disk and bulge stellar populations.

Monte Carlo simulations of star clusters - V. The globular cluster M4

We describe Monte Carlo models for the dynamical evolution of the nearby globular cluster M4. The code includes treatments of two-body relaxation, three- and four-body interactions involving primordial binaries and those formed dynamically, the Galactic tide and the internal evolution of both single and binary stars. We arrive at a set of initial parameters for the cluster which, after 12 Gyr of evolution, gives a model with a satisfactory match to the surface-brightness profile, the velocity-dispersion profile and the luminosity function in two fields. We describe in particular the evolution of the core: according to our model, M4 (which has a classic King profile) is actually a post-collapse cluster, its core radius being sustained by binary burning. We also consider the distribution of its binaries, including those which would be observed as photometric binaries. Finally, we consider the populations of white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes and blue stragglers, though not all channels for blue straggler formation are represented yet in our simulations.

Another Nonsegregated Blue Straggler Population in a Globular Cluster: the Case of NGC 2419

We have used a combination of ACS HST high-resolution and wide-field Subaru data in order to study the blue straggler star (BSS) population over the entire extension of the remote Galactic globular cluster NGC 2419. The BSS population presented here is among the largest ever observed in any stellar system, with more than 230 BSSs in the brightest portion of the sequence. The radial distribution of the selected BSSs is essentially the same as that of the other cluster stars. In this sense the BSS radial distribution is similar to that of ω Centauri and unlike that of all Galactic globular clusters studied to date, which have highly centrally segregated distributions and, in most cases, a pronounced upturn in the external regions. As in the case of ω Centauri, this evidence indicates that NGC 2419 is not yet relaxed even in the central regions. This observational fact is in agreement with estimated half-mass relaxation time, which is of the order of the cluster age.

WIYN OPEN CLUSTER STUDY. XXXII. STELLAR RADIAL VELOCITIES IN THE OLD OPEN CLUSTER NGC 188

(Abridged) We present the results of our ongoing radial-velocity (RV) survey of the old (7 Gyr) open cluster NGC 188. Our WIYN 3.5m data set spans a time baseline of 11 years, a magnitude range of 12<=V<=16.5 (1.18-0.94 MSun), and a 1 deg. diameter region on the sky. With the addition of a Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (DAO) data set we extend our bright limit to V = 10.8 and, for some stars, extend our time baseline to 35 years. Our magnitude limits include solar-mass main-sequence stars, subgiants, giants, and blue stragglers (BSs), and our spatial coverage extends radially to 17 pc (~13 core radii). For the WIYN data we find a measurement precision of 0.4 km/s for narrow-lined stars. We have measured RVs for 1046 stars in the direction of NGC 188, finding 473 to be likely cluster members. We detect 124 velocity-variable cluster members, all of which are likely to be dynamically hard-binary stars. Using our single member stars, we find an average cluster RV of -42.36 +/- 0.04 km/s. We use our precise RV and proper-motion membership data to greatly reduce field-star contamination in our cleaned color-magnitude diagram, from which we identify six stars of note that lie far from a standard single-star isochrone. We find the binaries to be centrally concentrated, providing evidence for the presence of mass segregation in NGC 188. We observe the BSs to populate a bimodal spatial distribution that is not centrally concentrated, suggesting that we may be observing two populations of BSs in NGC 188, including a centrally concentrated distribution as well as a halo population. Finally, we find NGC 188 to have a global RV dispersion of 0.64 +/- 0.04 km/s. When corrected for unresolved binaries, the NGC 188 RV dispersion has a nearly isothermal radial distribution. We use this mean-corrected velocity dispersion to derive a virial mass of 2300 +/- 460 MSun.

Blue Stragglers from Primordial Binary Evolution

AbstractBinaries exist in all clusters and much evidence suggests that close-binary evolution makes an important contribution to the blue straggler population, at least in some clusters as well as in the field. Here we present different channels to blue stragglers from primordial binary evolution and examine their contributions to the integrated spectral energy distribution of the host clusters in theory via binary population synthesis.

Close binary evolution and blue straggler formation

AbstractIn order to discuss the contribution of mass transfer in primordial close binaries to the blue straggler population in young clusters, we use Eggleton's stellar evolution code to simulate a grid of case A binary evolutionary models with the initial donor mass 2.0 – 8.0 M⊙ and mass ratio 0.1 – 0.9. The models cover the whole case A binaries that will experience mass transfer between 30.0 Myr to 1.0 Gyr. Based on such detailed models, we present a simulation to compare with the HST observation of young cluster NGC 1831 which can be fit with an isochrone of log(age) = 8.65. The results show very few blue stragglers could be produced by case A binary evolution. There must be some other mechanisms for blue straggler formation in young clusters.

Environmental effects on the globular cluster blue straggler population: a statistical approach

Context. Blue stragglers stars (BSS) constitute an ubiquitous population of objects whose origin involves both dynamical and stellar evolution. Aims. In this paper we study the properties of a catalogue of BSS extracted from an homogeneous sample of 56 Galactic globular clusters (GC) observed with Wide-Field Planetary Camera 2 on board of Hubble Space Telescope (WFPC2/HST). Methods. With the purpose of investigating the environmental dependence of the BSS formation mechanisms, we explore possible monovariate relations between the frequency of BSS (divided in different subsamples according to their location with respect to the parent cluster core radius and half-mass radius) and the main parameters of their host GC. We also performed a principal component analysis (PCA) to extract the main parent cluster parameters, which characterise the BSS family. Results. We find that any subpopulation of BSS strongly depends on the luminosity of the cluster, on the extension of the cluster horizontal branch, and on the central velocity dispersion: more luminous clusters and clusters with a smaller central velocity dispersion have a higher BSS frequency. Moreover, we find that clusters having higher mass, higher central densities, and smaller core relaxation timescales have, on average, more luminous BSS. Finally, different dependencies seem to hold for clusters with different integrated luminosity: brighter clusters show a BSS population that depends on the collisional parameter, while BSS in fainter clusters are mostly influenced by the cluster luminosity and the dynamical timescales.

Monte Carlo simulations of star clusters IV. Calibration of the Monte Carlo code and comparison with observations for the open cluster M67

We outline the steps needed in order to incorporate the evolution of single and binary stars into a particular Monte Carlo code for the dynamical evolution of a star cluster. We calibrate the results against N-body simulations, and present models for the evolution of the old open cluster M67 (which has been studied thoroughly in the literature with N-body techniques). The calibration is done by choosing appropriate free code parameters. We describe, in particular, the evolution of the binary, white dwarf and blue straggler populations, though not all channels for blue straggler formation are represented yet in our simulations. Calibrated Monte Carlo runs show good agreement with results of N-body simulations not only for global cluster parameters, but also for, for example, binary fraction, luminosity function and surface brightness. Comparison of Monte Carlo simulations with observational data for M67 shows that it is possible to get reasonably good agreement between them. Unfortunately, because of the large statistical fluctuations of the numerical data and uncertainties in the observational data the inferred conclusions about the cluster initial conditions are not firm.

Environmental Effects on the Globular Cluster Blue Straggler Population: a Statistical Approach

AbstractBlue stragglers stars (BSS) constitute an ubiquitous population of objects whose origin involves both dynamical and stellar evolution. We took advantage of the homogeneous sample of 56 Galactic globular clusters observed with WFPC2/HST by Piotto et al. (2002) to investigate the environmental dependence of the BSS formation mechanisms. We explore possible monovariate relations between the frequency of BSS (divided in different subsamples according to their location with respect to the parent cluster core radius and half mass radius) and the main parameters of their host GC. We also performed a Principal Component Analysis to extract the main parent cluster parameters which characterise the BSS family.

Where the Blue Stragglers Roam: Searching for a Link between Formation and Environment

The formation of blue stragglers is still not completely understood, particularly the relationship between formation environment and mechanism. We use a large, homogeneous sample of blue stragglers in the cores of 57 globular clusters to investigate the relationships between blue straggler populations and their environments. We use a consistent definition of "blue straggler" based on position in the color-magnitude diagram, and normalize the population relative to the number of red giant branch stars in the core. We find that the previously determined anti-correlation between blue straggler frequency and total cluster mass is present in the purely core population. We find some weak correlations with central velocity dispersion and with half-mass relaxation time. The blue straggler frequency does not show any trend with any other cluster parameter. Even though collisions may be expected to be a dominant blue straggler formation process in globular cluster cores, we find no correlation between the frequency of blue stragglers and the collision rate in the core. We also investigated the blue straggler luminosity function shape, and found no relationship between any cluster parameter and the distribution of blue stragglers in the color-magnitude diagram. Our results are inconsistent with some recent models of blue straggler formation that include collisional formation mechanisms, and may suggest that almost all observed blue stragglers are formed in binary systems.