Gravitational Impact as a Possible Factor in the Structural Evolution of Globular Star Clusters in the Galaxy

Besides isolated self-gravitating dynamic systems, it is particularly important to study the interactions between different galactic formations. Given that stellar systems have a much greater degree of freedom than that of the internal structure of a given star, the reaction of these systems to external interactions is more variegated. In this paper we evaluate the time interval for perceptible structural evolution of globular star clusters owing to possible gravitational impact as they pass through the galactic plane of symmetry. For 22 globular clusters with known masses, radii, and proper motions, as well as with some orbital elements determined using a three-component model of the galaxy, it is found that only very rarely does this interval not exceed the age of the galaxy.