Ultraviolet Observations of the Globular Cluster M10 from HST and GALEX: The BSS Population
O'Connell, R. W.; Dalessandro, E.; Beccari, G.; Ferraro, F. R.; Lanzoni, B.; Schiavon, R. P.
Italy, United Kingdom, United States, Germany
Abstract
We present a combination of high-resolution Hubble Space Telescope and wide-field ground-based and Galaxy Evolution Explorer data of the Galactic globular cluster M10 (NGC 6254). By using this large data set, we determined the center of gravity of the cluster and we built its density profile from star counts over its entire radial extension. We find that the density profile is well reproduced by a single-mass King model with structural parameters c = 1.41 and rc = 41''. We also studied the blue straggler star (BSS) population and its radial distribution. We count a total number of 120 BSS within the tidal radius. Their radial distribution is bimodal: highly peaked in the cluster center, decreasing at intermediate distances, and rising again outward. We discuss these results in the context of the dynamical clock scheme presented by Ferraro et al. and of recent results about the radial distribution of binary systems in this cluster.
Based on observations collected with the NASA/ESA HST, obtained at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by AURA, Inc., under NASA contract NAS5-26555. Also based on WFI observations collected at the European Southern Observatory, La Silla, Chile, within the observing program 69.D-0582.