Signature of systemic rotation in 21 galactic globular clusters from APOGEE-2

Abstract

Context. Traditionally, globular clusters (GCs) have been assumed to be quasi-relaxed non-rotating systems, characterized by spherical symmetry and orbital isotropy. However, in recent years, a growing set of observational evidence has been unveiling an unexpected dynamical complexity in Galactic GCs. Indeed, kinematic studies have demonstrated that a measurable amount of internal rotation is present in many present-day GCs. Aims. The objective of this work is to analyse the APOGEE-2 value-added catalog (VAC) DR17 data of a sample of 21 GCs to extend the sample exhibiting signatures of systemic rotation and better understand the kinematic properties of GCs overall. Also, we aim to identify the fastest rotating GC from the sample of objects with suitable measurements. Methods. From the sample of 23 GCs included in this work, the presence of systemic rotation was detected in 21 of the GCs, using three different methods. All these methods use the radial velocity referred to the cluster systemic velocity (Ṽr). Using the first method, it was possible to visually verify the clear-cut signature of systemic rotation; whereas using the second and third methods, it was possible to determine the amplitude of the rotation curve (Arot) and the position angle (PA) of the rotation axis. Results. This study shows that 21 GCs have a signature of systemic rotation. For these clusters, the rotation amplitude and the position angle of the rotation axis (PA0) have been calculated. The clusters cover a remarkable range of rotational amplitudes, from 0.77 km s−1 to 13.85 km s−1.