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The disruption of the low-mass globular cluster E3

Authors :
Carballo-Bello, Julio A.
Salinas, Ricardo
Piatti, Andrés E.
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

We use {\it Gaia} DR2 photometry and proper motions to search for the hypothetical tidal tails of the Galactic globular cluster E\,3. Using a modified version of a classical decontamination procedure, we are able to identify the presence of an extended structure emerging from the cluster up to $r \sim 1$\,deg from its center, thus suggesting that this poorly studied cluster is undergoing a tidal disruption process. These low surface-brightness structures are aligned with the direction to the Galactic center, as expected for a cluster close to its perigalacticon. Different scenarios to explain the important amount of mass lost by this cluster are discussed.<br />Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in MNRAS

Details

Database :
arXiv
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsarx.2009.11320
Document Type :
Working Paper
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staa2864