Blue Straggler Stars in Globular Clusters: A Powerful Tool to Probe the Internal Dynamical Evolution of Stellar Systems

Date Issued
2015
Author(s)
Ferraro, Francesco R.
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Lovisi, Loredana
DOI
10.1007/978-3-662-44434-4_5
Abstract
This chapter presents an overview of the main observational results obtained to date about Blue Straggler Stars (BSSs) in Galactic Globular Clusters (GCs). The BSS specific frequency, radial distribution, chemical composition and rotational properties are presented and discussed in the framework of using this stellar population as probe of GC internal dynamics. In particular, the shape of the BSS radial distribution has been found to be a powerful tracer of the dynamical age of stellar systems, thus allowing the definition of the first empirical "dynamical clock".
Coverage
Ecology of Blue Straggler Stars
Series
Volume
413
Start page
99
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1406.3471.pdf

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preprint
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3.08 MB

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