On the Origin of the Ellipticity of Globular Clusters: The Isolated Cluster in the Low-Mass dIrr Galaxy WLM
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Date
2005
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Abstract
Globular clusters have long been known for presenting (at times) significant deviations from spherical symmetry. While rotation has been the main proposed explanation, other complicating factors such as their constant interaction with the strong gravitational potential of their host galaxy have made it difficult for a consensus to be reached. To address this question we have obtained high-resolution VLT/UVES spectra of WLM-1, the lone globular cluster associated with the isolated, low-mass dwarf irregular galaxy WLM. We will present the results of our study, including rotation velocities along both the semi-major and semi-minor axes, as a test of the rotation hypothesis....