Spectroscopy of chromospheric lines of giants in the globular cluster NGC 6752

A. K. Dupree*, Lee Hartmann, Graeme H. Smith, A. W. Rodgers, W. H. Roberts, D. B. Zucker

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Spectroscopic observations of chromospheric transitions (Mg II, Hα, and Ca II K) from two red giants (A31 and A59) in the globular cluster NGC 6572 were made with the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph on the Bubble Space Telescope and the coudé spectrograph of the 1.9 m telescope at the Mount Stromlo Observatory. These measurements give evidence for chromospheric activity and outward motions within the atmospheres. The surface flux of the Mg II emission is comparable to that in disk population giants of similar (B - V) color. The Mg II profiles are asymmetric, which is most likely caused by absorption in an expanding stellar atmosphere and/or by possible interstellar features. Notches are found in the core of the Hα line of A59, which are similar to those found in Cepheids. This suggests that shocks are present in the atmosphere of A59 and indicates that hydrodynamic phenomena are influencing the level of chromospheric emission and producing upper atmospheric motions which may lead to mass loss.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)542-549
Number of pages8
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume421
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 1994
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Globular clusters: individual (NGC 6752)
  • Shock waves
  • Stars: chromospheres
  • Stars: giants
  • Stars: mass loss
  • Ultraviolet: stars

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