Globular clusters in SDSS data

In summary, after searching through SDSS data and documentation, it appears that there is no direct identifier for globular clusters (GCs). Nearby clusters are catalogued as individual stars with no apparent link to a parent cluster ID or name, while far away clusters are catalogued as galaxies. There is no data flag that allows for filtering out known GCs based on certain conditions. However, there have been some studies using SDSS data to identify GCs, and it may be helpful to contact the authors of these studies for more information on how they identified and processed the GC data.
  • #1
mancini
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TL;DR Summary
Haven't found any data flag that would enable me to search for GCs in SDSS data. What am I missing?
I am searching for Globular Clusters in SDSS data. From what I have learned after sifting through documentation and the data structures, there is no identifier by which I could directly search for GCs.

Nearby clusters are catalogued as individual stars with no apparent link to parent cluster id/bname or anything that I found useful.

Far away clusters are catalogued as galaxies (logical, they are extended objects) but can't find anything else.

Is there a way to filter out all known GCs that fit certain conditions? What am I missing?

Thank you vary much for any help,
Michal
 
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  • #2
mancini said:
Summary:: Haven't found any data flag that would enable me to search for GCs in SDSS data. What am I missing?

Is there a way to filter out all known GCs that fit certain conditions? What am I missing?

I looked at the SDSS site and found the following statement:
All of the clusters seen by the SDSS are globular clusters, thick clusters containing millions of stars that lie just above and just below the plan (sic) of our galaxy. The two clusters we'll work with were both found by the Palomar Sky Survey in the 1950's, hence the names Pal 3 and Pal 5. Their coordinates are given below.
https://skyserver.sdss.org/dr1/en/proj/advanced/hr/globularcluster.asp

https://arxiv.org/abs/0808.0001 - "While star clusters provide important calibration samples for stellar colors, the regions close to globular clusters, where the fraction of field stars is smallest, are too crowded for the standard SDSS photometric pipeline to process."

https://arxiv.org/abs/1010.4697 - Mining SDSS in search of Multiple Populations in Globular Clusters

GLOBULAR AND OPEN CLUSTERS OBSERVED BY SDSS/SEGUE: THE GIANT STARS
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/0004-6256/151/1/7

https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/handle/2152/43115

Perhaps one can contact the authors and ask how they identified/processed the GC data in SDSS.
 
  • Informative
Likes berkeman

1. What are globular clusters?

Globular clusters are spherical collections of stars that are tightly bound together by gravity. They typically contain hundreds of thousands of stars and are found in the outer regions of galaxies.

2. How are globular clusters identified in SDSS data?

Globular clusters are identified in SDSS data by their distinct colors and brightness. They appear as dense, round objects in the images and can be separated from other types of objects, such as galaxies, based on their characteristics.

3. What can we learn from studying globular clusters in SDSS data?

Studying globular clusters in SDSS data can provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies. By analyzing the properties of these clusters, we can learn about the age and composition of stars in different regions of the galaxy, as well as the dynamics of their orbits.

4. How many globular clusters have been identified in SDSS data?

As of 2021, over 150,000 globular clusters have been identified in SDSS data. This number continues to grow as new data is collected and analyzed.

5. Are there any notable globular clusters found in SDSS data?

Yes, there are several notable globular clusters found in SDSS data, including Omega Centauri, 47 Tucanae, and M13. These clusters have unique characteristics and are often used as benchmarks for studying other globular clusters in the galaxy.

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