Year: 2005
Type: article
Abstract: We propose to determine the stellar velocity dispersions of globular clusters in the outer halo of the Milky Way in order to decide whether the dynamics of the Universe on large scales is governed by dark matter or modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND). We show that, for a number of Galactic globular clusters, both the internal and the external accelerations are significantly below the critical acceleration parameter a0 of MOND. This leads to velocity dispersions in the case of MOND which exceed their Newtonian counterparts by up to a factor of 3, providing a stringent test for MOND. Alternatively, in cases where high velocity dispersions are found, these would provide the first evidence that globular clusters are dark matter dominated.
Authors: H. Baumgardt, E. K. Grebel, P. Kroupa
Institutions: University of Bonn, University of Basel
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W1994458213