Globular Cluster Sub-Populations: Understanding Galaxy Formation

球状星系团亚群：了解星系形成球状星团是相对简单的恒星群，由数万颗恒星组成。首先，这些恒星的特征是单一的年龄和化学成分。作为形成星系的早期环境的化石残留物，它们是星系形成和演化过程的强大探测器。在相互作用的星系中发现了年轻的致密物体，显然是在形成过程中捕捉到的球状星团。布罗迪博士正在用凯克10米望远镜进行系统的光谱研究。此外，博迪博士还用红外成像对这项工作进行了补充。光谱学提供了球状星团中恒星的年龄和化学丰度的信息。红外成像的目标是探测低光度椭圆形中球状星团的亚群。

Globular cluster sub-populations: understanding galaxy formationJean P. BrodieGlobular clusters are relatively simple stellar populations consisting of tens of thousands of stars. These stars are characterized, to first order, by a single age and chemical composition. As fossil remnants of the early environments out of which galaxies formed they are powerful probes of the processes of galaxy formation and evolution. Young compact objects, apparently globular clusters caught in the process of forming have been detected in interacting galaxies. Dr. Brodie is conducting a systematic spectroscopic study with the Keck 10meter telescopes. In addition Dr. Bordie is complementing this work with infrared imaging. The spectroscopy is providing information on the ages and chemical abundances of stars in the globular clusters. The goal of the infrared imaging is the detection of sub populations of globular clusters in low luminosity ellipticals.