HST observations of Terzan 1: a second parameter globular cluster in the galactic bulge

Citation
S. Ortolani et al., HST observations of Terzan 1: a second parameter globular cluster in the galactic bulge, ASTRON ASTR, 350(3), 1999, pp. 840-846
Citations number
33
Categorie Soggetti
Space Sciences
Journal title
ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
ISSN journal
00046361 → ACNP
Volume
350
Issue
3
Year of publication
1999
Pages
840 - 846
Database
ISI
SICI code
0004-6361(199910)350:3<840:HOOT1A>2.0.ZU;2-C
Abstract
Hubble Space Telescope observations in the F555W and F814W bands are presen ted of the bulge globular cluster Terzan 1. This highly obscured cluster ha s the smallest projected distance to the Galactic center among all known gl obulars. Its colour-magnitude diagram shows a red horizontal branch, which is typical of metal-rich clusters, combined to a very steep red giant branc h, which instead is typical of metal-poor clusters. These features make it similar to the second parameter halo cluster NGC 362. Terzan 1 is therefore another second parameter cluster in the Galactic bulge, and the first one in the bulge combining a steep red giant branch with a red horizontal branc h. As in the case of NGC 362, these features of the colour-magnitude diagra m can be accounted for by the cluster being similar to 2 Gyr younger than o ther clusters with the same metallicity but showing a blue horizontal branc h. These findings demonstrate that second parameter effects are not confine d to the Galactic hare, but are actually encountered at all galactocentric distances. Despite the unusual sequences in the colour-magnitude diagram, t he derivation of reddening and distance is straightforward, and we obtained E(B - V) = 2.48+/-0.1, d. = 5.2+/-0.5 kpc, thus placing Terzan 1 within th e bulge.