The Unique Properties of omega Centauri Seen Through Stroemgren Eyes

Abstract

A revised metallicity calibration of the Stroemgren (b-y),m_1 diagram, based on a sample of globular cluster and field red giant stars, is presented. This new calibration has been used to determine Stroemgren metallicities ([Fe/H]_phot) for more than 1400 red giants in omega Centauri. Most of the stars belong to a metal poor ([Fe/H]_phot = -1.7 dex), old population. A second more metal rich ([Fe/H]_phot = -0.9 dex) population is found to be about 3 Gyr younger and more centrally concentrated than the old one. The CN-rich stars do not seem to follow the radial distribution of the metal rich population.

6 pages, 6 figures, in Proceedings of the 35th Liege International Astrophysics Colloquium: "The Galactic Halo: from Globular Clusters to Field Stars", July 5-8, 1999