Six New Galactic Orbits of Globular Clusters in a Milky-Way-Like Galaxy

TL;DR

This study calculates and compares the Galactic orbits of six globular clusters in different potential models, providing insights into their dynamics and stability within a Milky Way-like galaxy.

Contribution

It introduces six new globular cluster orbits in various Galactic potentials, including barred and spiral arm models, enhancing understanding of their dynamical behavior.

Findings

Orbits vary significantly across different Galactic potential models.

Tidal radii and destruction rates are estimated for each cluster.

Results inform on cluster stability and Galactic structure influence.

Abstract

Absolute proper motions for six new globular clusters have recently been determined. This motivated us to obtain the Galactic orbits of these six clusters both in an axisymmetric Galactic potential and in a barred potential, such as the one of our Galaxy. Orbits are also obtained for a Galactic potential that includes spiral arms. The orbital characteristics are compared and discussed for these three cases. Tidal radii and destruction rates are also computed and discussed.