2007/11/28 by Torsten Böker, Torsten Boeker · 4 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astrophysics #Brightest cluster galaxy #Dwarf galaxy #Elliptical galaxy #Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena #Galaxy #Galaxy cluster #Galaxy merger #Globular cluster #Lenticular galaxy #Peculiar galaxy #Physics #Star cluster #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1086/527033
5 pages, no figures. Accepted by ApJ Letters
arxiv created 2007/11/28 · openalex publication_date 2007/12/18 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
The globular cluster system of a typical spheroidal galaxy makes up about 0.25% of the total galaxy mass. This is roughly the same mass fraction as contained in the nuclear star cluster (or stellar nucleus) present in most nearby low-mass galaxies. Motivated by this "coincidence," this Letter discusses a scenario in which globular clusters of present-day galaxies are the surviving nuclei of the dwarf galaxies that—according to the hierarchical merging paradigm of galaxy formation—constitute the "building blocks" of present-day massive galaxies. This scenario, which was first suggested by Freeman, has become more attractive recently in light of studies that demonstrate a complex star formation history in a number of massive globular clusters.