The Contribution of Primordial Binaries to the Blue Straggler Population in 47 Tucanae

Recent observations of the blue straggler population in 47 Tucanae give the first detailed characterization of their spatial distribution in the cluster over its entire volume. Relative to the light distribution, blue stragglers appear to be overabundant in the core and at large radii. The observed surface density profile shows a central peak, a zone of avoidance, and a rise beyond 20 core radii. In light of these findings we explored the …