Structural parameters and blue stragglers in Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy globular clusters

TL;DR

This study measures structural parameters and analyzes blue straggler stars in four Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy globular clusters, revealing their extended nature and insights into their dynamical states.

Contribution

First reliable measurements of the tidal radii of Arp 2 and Terzan 8, and a comparative analysis of blue straggler distributions indicating varying degrees of mass segregation.

Findings

Terzan 8 is less concentrated than any Milky Way cluster.

Blue stragglers show no evidence of mass segregation in Terzan 8.

NGC 5634 and Palomar 12 likely experienced mass segregation.

Abstract

We present BV photometry of four Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy globular clusters: Arp 2, NGC 5634, Palomar 12, and Terzan 8, obtained with the Danish telescope at ESO-La Silla. We measure the structural parameters of the clusters using a King profile fitting, obtaining the first reliable measurements of the tidal radius of Arp 2 and Terzan 8. These two clusters are remarkably extended and with low concentrations; with a concentration of only c = 0.41 +/- 0.02, Terzan 8 is less concentrated than any cluster in our Galaxy. Blue stragglers are identified in the four clusters, and their spatial distribution is compared to those of horizontal branch and red giant branch stars. The blue straggler properties do not provide evidence of mass segregation in Terzan 8, while Arp 2 probably shares the same status, although with less confidence. In the case of NGC 5634 and Palomar 12, blue stragglers are significantly less populous, and their analysis suggests that the two clusters have probably undergone mass segregation.