UV radiation from white dwarfs can efficiently clear Galactic globular clusters ( GCs ) of their intra-cluster medium ( ICM ) .
This solves the problem of the missing ICM in clusters , which is otherwise expected to build up to easily observable quantities .
To show this , we recreate the ionizing flux in 47 Tuc , following randomly generated stars through their AGB , post-AGB and white dwarf evolution .
Each white dwarf can ionize all the material injected into the cluster by stellar winds for \sim 3 Myr of its evolution : \sim 40 such white dwarfs exist at any point .
Every GC ’ s ICM should be ionized .
The neutral cloud in M15 should be caused by a temporary overdensity .
A pressure-supported ICM will expand over the cluster ’ s tidal radius , where it will be truncated , allowing Jeans escape .
The modelled Jeans mass-loss rate approximates the total stellar mass-loss rate , allowing efficient clearing of ICM .
Any cluster ’ s ICM mass should equal the mass injected by its stars over the sound-travel time between the cluster core and tidal radius .
We predict \sim 11.3 M _ { \odot } of ICM within 47 Tuc , cleared over \sim 4 Myr , compared to a dynamical timescale of 4.3 Myr .
We present a new mass hierarchy , discussing the transition between globular clusters dwarf galaxies .