Wandering globular clusters: the first dwarf galaxies in the universe?

TL;DR

This paper discusses the discovery of intracluster globular clusters in the Virgo galaxy cluster, suggesting they may be linked to the first dwarf galaxies in the universe, challenging traditional classifications.

Contribution

It introduces a new large-scale structure of globular clusters in Virgo and explores their potential connection to early dwarf galaxy formation.

Findings

Discovery of intracluster globular clusters in Virgo

Intracluster globular clusters are predominantly blue

Possible link between intracluster globular clusters and first dwarf galaxies

Abstract

In the last decade we witness an advent of new types of dwarf stellar systems in cluding ultra-compact dwarfs, ultra-faint dwarf spheroidals, and exotic globular clusters, breaking the old simple paradigm for dwarf galaxies and globular clusters. These objects become more intriguing, and understanding of these new findings be comes more challenging. Recently we discovered a new type of large scale structure in the Virgo cluster of galaxies: it is composed of globular clusters. Globular clusters in Virgo are found wandering between galaxies (intracluster globular clusters) as well as in galaxies. These intracluster globular clusters fill a significant fraction in the area of the Virgo cluster and they are dominated by blue globular clusters. These intracluster globular clusters may be closely related with the first dwarf galaxies in the universe.