Limits on the significant mass-loss scenario based on the globular clusters of the Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy

Abstract

Many of the scenarios proposed to explain the origin of chemically peculiar stars in globular clusters (GCs) require significant mass loss (≥95 per cent) to explain the observed fraction of such stars. In the GCs of the Fornax dwarf galaxy, significant mass loss could be a problem. Larsen et al. showed that there is a large ratio of GCs to metal-poor field stars in Fornax and about 20-25 per cent of all the stars with [Fe/H] 20 km s-1. We show that such large velocities can be achieved by mass loss induced by gas expulsion but not mass loss induced by stellar evolution. Our results imply that one cannot interpret the metallicity distribution of Fornax field stars as evidence against significant mass loss in Fornax GCs, if mass loss is due to gas expulsion.