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The Binary Fraction of NGC 6397

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2007

D. Saul Davis
Affiliation:
Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of British Columbia, 6224 Agricultural Road, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada email: sdavis@astro.ubc.ca
Harvey B. Richer
Affiliation:
Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of British Columbia, 6224 Agricultural Road, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada email: sdavis@astro.ubc.ca
Jay Anderson
Affiliation:
Department of Physics & Astronomy, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Huston, TX, 77005, USA
James Brewer
Affiliation:
Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of British Columbia, 6224 Agricultural Road, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1, Canada email: sdavis@astro.ubc.ca
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Abstract

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The binary fraction, η, of a globular cluster (GC) is a key parameter in determining its dynamical evolution, as well as its content of rare stars, such as cataclysmic variables and blue stragglers. The precise value of η for a GC was historically difficult to constrain due to an inability to obtain reliable photometry for faint objects in dense stellar fields. However, today, the HST allows us to image the main sequence of the nearest GCs to their terminations. Using HST observations we constrain η for NGC 6397. While the necessary computing power is now available to realistically simulate entire GCs, large discrepancies in the assumed primordial binary fraction, ηp, of GCs still exist. Estimates range from 5% (Hurley et al. 2007) to 100% (Ivanova et al. 2005). The N-body models of Hurley et al. (2007) suggest that η beyond the half-mass radius remains close to ηp, while cluster evolution can increase the value in the core. We find η for NGC 6397 is 15.2±0.8% in a field centered on the core, and 1.1±0.3% in a field beyond the half mass radius. These findings suggests ηp ~ 1%.

Type
Contributed Papers
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2008

References

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