Spatial distribution and dynamics of the galactic globular cluster system

Abstract

Previous data are used to study the spatial and velocity distribution of the galactic globular cluster system, and sky positions which appear to be circularly symmetric about the Galactic center are used to constrain the distributions. It is shown that metal-rich clusters are flattened toward the galactic plane and have a slight tendency to rotate faster and to have a lower velocity dispersion than the mean population. Velocity dispersion models suggest galactic circular speeds of between about 180 and 220 km/s at the solar radius.