Astrometry and Photometry in the Globular Cluster NGC 6397

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Session 58 -- The Galaxy
Display presentation, Thursday, 2, 1994, 9:20-6:30

[58.12] Astrometry and Photometry in the Globular Cluster NGC 6397

K. M. Cudworth, J. S. Benensohn (Yerkes Obs., U. Chicago)

Thirty plates from four telescopes over a total epoch difference of 97 years have been used to derive proper motions and photometry for 600 stars in the region of the globular cluster NGC 6397. The cluster's proper motion is very different from that of most field stars, leading to an excellent segregation of cluster members from non-members. A clean color- magnitude diagram of probable cluster members will be presented that includes a few blue stragglers. The long-period variable V1 has generally been considered a field star, but its proper motion indicates it has a fairly high probability of being a member. The proper motions are precise enough to be used to investigate the internal dynamics of the cluster. The absolute proper motion and space velocity of the cluster confirm it as a halo object, as expected from its metallicity, despite its current location near the Galactic plane. This research has been partially supported by the National Science Foundation.

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