2007/09/02 by B. Lanzoni, E. Dalessandro, F. R. Ferraro +4 · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations #Black hole (networking) #Core (optical fiber) #Galactic Center #Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena #Galaxy #Globular cluster #Intermediate-mass black hole #RADIUS #Surface (topology) #Surface brightness #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1086/522927
published as Astrophysical Journal, 668, 139L (2007) · ApJ Letter in press
arxiv created 2007/09/02 · openalex publication_date 2007/10/03 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
We have used a combination of HST high-resolution and ground-based wide-field observations of the Galactic globular cluster NGC 6388 to derive its center of gravity, projected density profile, and central surface brightness profile. While the overall projected profiles are well fit by a King model with an intermediate concentration ( c = 1.8) and a sizable core radius ( r c = 7.2''), a significant power-law (with slope α = -0.2) deviation from flat-core behavior has been detected within the inner 1''. These properties suggest the presence of a central intermediate-mass black hole. The observed profiles are well reproduced by a multimass isotropic, spherical model, including a black hole with a mass of ~5.7 × 10 3 M ☉ .