Rotation and multiple stellar population in globular clusters

Abstract

We investigate structure and kinematics of the second generation of stars (SG) formed from gaseous ejecta of the first generation of stars (FG) in forming globular clusters (GCs).We consider that SG can be formed from gaseous ejecta from asymptotic giant branch stars of FG with the initial total mass of 10 6 M⊙-108 M⊙ to explain the present masses of the Galactic GCs. Our three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations with star formation show that SG formed in the central regions of FG can have a significant amount of rotation (V/σ ≈ 0.8-2.5). The rotational amplitude of SG can depend strongly on the initial kinematics of FG.We thus propose that some GCs composed of FG and SG had a significant amount of rotation when they were formed. We also suggest that although later long-term (∼10 Gyr) dynamical evolution of stars can smooth out the initial structural and kinematical differences between FG and SG to a large extent, initial flattened structures and rotational kinematics of SG can be imprinted on shapes and internal rotation of the present GCs. We discuss these results in terms of internal rotation observed in the Galactic GCs. © © 2010. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.