# Exploring the nature and synchronicity of early cluster formation in the Large Magellanic Cloud: III. Horizontal Branch Morphology

**Authors:** R. Wagner-Kaiser, Dougal Mackey, Ata Sarajedini, Roger E. Cohen, Doug Geisler, Soung-Chul Yang, Aaron J. Grocholski, Jeffrey D. Cummings  
**arXiv:** [1801.00006](https://arxiv.org/abs/1801.00006)  
**Date:** 2017-12-29  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/1801.00006v1/

## Key points

- Wagner-Kaiser et al. (2017) used data from the Hubble Space Telescope program GO-14164 to study horizontal branch morphology of globular clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC).
- High precision photometry was achieved, allowing for detailed analysis of LMC cluster variation.
- LMC clusters generally exhibit similar horizontal branch morphologies regardless of position within the system after accounting for metallicity differences.
- LMC clusters have slightly redder morphologies compared to most inner halo Galactic populations, resembling outer Galactic halo clusters.
- Potential correlation between cluster location and morphology characteristics was suggested.
- Results supported previous studies indicating a relationship between horizontal branch morphology and cluster age.
- Study provides valuable insights into early cluster formation in the LMC and factors influencing horizontal branch morphology in these stellar systems.

## Summary

In their study, Wagner-Kaiser et al. (2017) utilized data from the Hubble Space Telescope program GO-14164 to investigate the horizontal branch morphology of globular clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). The authors achieved high precision photometry comparable to that of Galactic globular clusters, allowing for a detailed analysis of LMC cluster variation. Their findings revealed that LMC clusters generally exhibit similar horizontal branch morphologies regardless of position within the system after accounting for metallicity differences. Interestingly, LMC clusters tend to have slightly redder morphologies compared to most inner halo Galactic populations, resembling those found in outer Galactic halo clusters. This observation suggests a potential correlation between cluster location and morphology characteristics. Furthermore, results supported previous studies indicating a relationship between horizontal branch morphology and cluster age. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into early cluster formation in the LMC and sheds light on factors influencing horizontal branch morphology in these stellar systems.