The Globular Cluster System of the Virgo Cluster Ultradiffuse Galaxy VCC 615

TL;DR

This study uses Hubble imaging to analyze the globular cluster system of the Virgo UDG VCC 615, revealing a high specific frequency of clusters indicative of a massive dark halo and potential future UCD formation.

Contribution

First detailed analysis of VCC 615's globular clusters showing high specific frequency and implications for dark matter and galaxy evolution.

Findings

Estimated total globular clusters: ~25.

High specific frequency: ~55.5.

Presence of large clusters with >9 pc half-light radius.

Abstract

We use Hubble Space Telescope imaging to study the globular cluster system of the Virgo Cluster ultradiffuse galaxy (UDG) VCC 615. We select globular cluster candidates through a combination of size and color, while simultaneously rejecting contamination from background galaxies that would be unresolved in ground-based imaging. Our sample of globular cluster candidates is essentially complete down to a limiting magnitude of F814W=24.0, approximately 90% down the globular cluster luminosity function. We estimate a total globular cluster population for VCC 615 of $N_{\rm GC}=25.1^{+6.5}_{-5.4}$, resulting in a specific frequency of $S_N=55.5^{+14.5}_{-12.0}$, quite high compared to normal galaxies of similar luminosity, but consistent with the large specific frequencies found in some other UDGs. The abundant cluster population suggests the galaxy is enshrouded by a massive dark halo, consistent with previous dynamical mass estimates using globular cluster kinematics. While the peak of the globular cluster luminosity function appears slightly brighter than expected (by approximately 0.3-0.5 mag), this difference is comparable to the 0.3 mag uncertainty in the measurement, and we see no sign of an extremely luminous population of clusters similar to those detected in the UDGs NGC1054-DF2 and -DF4. However, we do find a relatively high fraction ($32^{+5}_{-4}$%) of large clusters with half-light radii greater than 9 pc. The galaxy's offset nucleus appears photometrically distinct from the globular clusters, and is more akin to ultracompact dwarfs (UCDs) in Virgo. Over time, VCC 615's already diffuse stellar body may be further stripped by cluster tides, leaving the nucleus intact to form a new Virgo UCD.