Chemo-dynamical reconstruction of Milky Way globular cluster progenitors: Age--metallicity relations and the universality of multiple stellar populations

Globular clusters encode the hierarchical assembly history of the Milky Way and the internal physics of multiple stellar populations. Reconstructing progenitor-specific age--metallicity relations requires stellar parameters free from helium-driven age biases, yet whether multiple-population properties carry an environmental imprint remains an open question. We reconstructed progenitor-specific age--metallicity relations for 69 Galactic globular clusters using homogeneous stellar parameters derived while modelling multiple stellar populations, and tested whether helium-related multiple-population properties depend on progenitor origin once cluster mass and metallicity are controlled for. Ages, helium spreads (δ Y), mean helium abundances ( and first-population fractions (f_ P1) were drawn from hierarchical Bayesian colour--magnitude diagram modelling. Progenitor families were identified via probabilistic chemo-dynamical clustering, age--metallicity relations reconstructed within a hierarchical Bayesian framework, and multiple-population indicators tested for environmental dependence using regression models with sensitivity tests. Enrichment timescales are broadly consistent with τ łesssim 2,Gyr, though individual progenitors prefer shorter values when fitted independently and inter-progenitor differences cannot be resolved at the present sample size. The primary distinction is the extent of chemical evolution: most systems reach ̊m Fe/H ≃ 1.1--1.3,dex, while Sagittarius achieves Δ ̊m Fe/H ≃ 1.6,dex and higher terminal metallicities. Progenitor masses identify Gaia--Sausage--Enceladus and low-energy group Nas the dominant events. Neither δ Y nor shows a significant progenitor dependence, and the mass multiple-population scaling is indistinguishable across in situ and accreted systems; Sequoia clusters alone show higher f_ P1 at fixed mass and metallicity. Age--metallicity relations carry fossil signatures of the chemical evolution and mass hierarchy of progenitor galaxies. The extent of enrichment, but not its pace, distinguishes progenitor systems. Helium enrichment amplitude is primarily regulated by cluster mass and blind to environment, pointing to universal cluster-scale formation physics. The sole robust exception of a residual progenitor dependence is in f_ P1, suggesting the enriched-star fraction retains a secondary environmental imprint.

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Publication Details

Journal
Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)
Published
2026-04-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202659820/pdf
Primary Topic
Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
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article
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article

Chemo-dynamical reconstruction of Milky Way globular cluster progenitors: Age--metallicity relations and the universality of multiple stellar populations

D. Valcin, Raul Jimenez, Carmela Lardo
Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)
Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
article

Chemo-dynamical reconstruction of Milky Way globular cluster progenitors: Age--metallicity relations and the universality of multiple stellar populations

D. Valcin, Raul Jimenez, Carmela Lardo
article en

Abstract

Globular clusters encode the hierarchical assembly history of the Milky Way and the internal physics of multiple stellar populations. Reconstructing progenitor-specific age--metallicity relations requires stellar parameters free from helium-driven age biases, yet whether multiple-population properties carry an environmental imprint remains an open question. We reconstructed progenitor-specific age--metallicity relations for 69 Galactic globular clusters using homogeneous stellar parameters derived while modelling multiple stellar populations, and tested whether helium-related multiple-population properties depend on progenitor origin once cluster mass and metallicity are controlled for. Ages, helium spreads (δ Y), mean helium abundances ( and first-population fractions (f_ P1) were drawn from hierarchical Bayesian colour--magnitude diagram modelling. Progenitor families were identified via probabilistic chemo-dynamical clustering, age--metallicity relations reconstructed within a hierarchical Bayesian framework, and multiple-population indicators tested for environmental dependence using regression models with sensitivity tests. Enrichment timescales are broadly consistent with τ łesssim 2,Gyr, though individual progenitors prefer shorter values when fitted independently and inter-progenitor differences cannot be resolved at the present sample size. The primary distinction is the extent of chemical evolution: most systems reach ̊m Fe/H ≃ 1.1--1.3,dex, while Sagittarius achieves Δ ̊m Fe/H ≃ 1.6,dex and higher terminal metallicities. Progenitor masses identify Gaia--Sausage--Enceladus and low-energy group Nas the dominant events. Neither δ Y nor shows a significant progenitor dependence, and the mass multiple-population scaling is indistinguishable across in situ and accreted systems; Sequoia clusters alone show higher f_ P1 at fixed mass and metallicity. Age--metallicity relations carry fossil signatures of the chemical evolution and mass hierarchy of progenitor galaxies. The extent of enrichment, but not its pace, distinguishes progenitor systems. Helium enrichment amplitude is primarily regulated by cluster mass and blind to environment, pointing to universal cluster-scale formation physics. The sole robust exception of a residual progenitor dependence is in f_ P1, suggesting the enriched-star fraction retains a secondary environmental imprint.

Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)
Openalex Percentile: Top 5%
Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
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