Bibcode
Scarpa, R.; Marconi, G.; Gilmozzi, R.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.405, p.L15-L18 (2003)
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7
2003
Journal
Citations
52
Refereed citations
44
Description
We have carried out a study of the velocity dispersion of the stars in
the outskirts of the globular cluster omega Cen, finding that the
velocity dispersion remains constant at large radii rather than decrease
monotonically. The dispersion starts to be constant for an acceleration
of gravity of a=2.1+0.5-0.4x 10-8 cm
s-2. A similar result is obtained reanalyzing existing data
for the globular cluster M15 where the profile flattens out for
a=1.7+0.7-0.5x 10-8 cm s-2.
In both cases the acceleration is comparable to that at which the effect
of dark matter becomes relevant in galaxies. Explanations for this
result within Newtonian dynamics exist (e.g. cluster evaporation, tidal
effects, presence of dark matter) but require ad hoc tuning of the
relevant parameters in order to make in both clusters the dispersion
profile flat starting exactly at the same acceleration. We suggest that
this result, together with a similar one for Palomar 13 and the
anomalous behavior of spacecrafts outside the solar system, may indicate
a breakdown of Newton's law in the weak acceleration regime. Although
not conclusive, these data prompt for the accurate determination of the
internal dynamics of as many GCs as possible.