scholarly journals Limit on the LMC mass from a census of its satellites

2020 ◽  
Vol 495 (3) ◽  
pp. 2554-2563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Erkal ◽  
Vasily A Belokurov
Keyword(s):  
Lower Bound ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Dwarf Galaxies ◽  
Dwarf Galaxy ◽  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Radial Velocities ◽  
Mass Estimate ◽  
Gravitational Pull ◽  
Observational Errors

ABSTRACT We study the orbits of dwarf galaxies in the combined presence of the Milky Way and Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and find six dwarfs that were likely accreted with the LMC (Car 2, Car 3, Hor 1, Hyi 1, Phe 2, and Ret 2), in addition to the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), representing strong evidence of dwarf galaxy group infall. This procedure depends on the gravitational pull of the LMC, allowing us to place a lower bound on the Cloud’s mass of $M_{\rm LMC} \gt 1.24\times 10^{11} \, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ if we assume that these are LMC satellites. This mass estimate is validated by applying the technique to a cosmological zoom-in simulation of a Milky Way-like galaxy with an LMC analogue where we find that while this lower bound may be overestimated, it will improve in the future with smaller observational errors. We apply this technique to dwarf galaxies lacking radial velocities and find that Eri 3 has a broad range of radial velocities for which it has a significant chance (>0.4) of having been bound to the Cloud. We study the non-Magellanic classical satellites and find that Fornax has an appreciable probability of being an LMC satellite if the LMC is sufficiently massive ($\text{$\sim$} 2.5\times 10^{11} \, \mathrm{M}_\odot$). In addition, we explore how the orbits of Milky Way satellites change in the presence of the LMC and find a significant change for several objects. Finally, we find that the dwarf galaxies likely to be LMC satellites are slightly smaller than Milky Way satellites at a fixed luminosity, possibly due to the different tidal environments they have experienced.

scholarly journals The VMC survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 641 ◽  
pp. A134
Author(s):  
Thomas Schmidt ◽  
Maria-Rosa L. Cioni ◽  
Florian Niederhofer ◽  
Kenji Bekki ◽  
Cameron P. M. Bell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Proper Motion ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Dwarf Galaxies ◽  
Dynamical Evolution ◽  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Clouds ◽  
Proper Motions ◽  
Flow Motion

Context. The Magellanic Clouds are a nearby pair of interacting dwarf galaxies and satellites of the Milky Way. Studying their kinematic properties is essential to understanding their origin and dynamical evolution. They have prominent tidal features and the kinematics of these features can give hints about the formation of tidal dwarfs, galaxy merging and the stripping of gas. In addition they are an example of dwarf galaxies that are in the process of merging with a massive galaxy. Aims. The goal of this study is to investigate the kinematics of the Magellanic Bridge, a tidal feature connecting the Magellanic Clouds, using stellar proper motions to understand their most recent interaction. Methods. We calculated proper motions based on multi-epoch Ks-band aperture photometry, which were obtained with the Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA), spanning a time of 1−3 yr, and we compared them with Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2) proper motions. We tested two methods for removing Milky Way foreground stars using Gaia DR2 parallaxes in combination with VISTA photometry or using distances based on Bayesian inference. Results. We obtained proper motions for a total of 576 411 unique sources over an area of 23 deg2 covering the Magellanic Bridge including mainly Milky Way foreground stars, background galaxies, and a small population of possible Magellanic Bridge stars (< 15 000), which mostly consist of giant stars with 11.0 <  Ks <  19.5 mag. The first proper motion measurement of the Magellanic Bridge centre is 1.80 ± 0.25 mas yr−1 in right ascension and −0.72 ± 0.13 mas yr−1 in declination. The proper motion measurements of stars along the Magellanic Bridge from the VISTA survey of the Magellanic Cloud system (VMC) and Gaia DR2 data confirm a flow motion from the Small to the Large Magellanic Cloud. This flow can now be measured all across the entire length of the Magellanic Bridge. Conclusions. Our measurements indicate that the Magellanic Bridge is stretching. By converting the proper motions to tangential velocities, we obtain ∼110 km s−1 in the plane of the sky. Therefore it would take a star roughly 177 Myr to cross the Magellanic Bridge.

scholarly journals The Effect of Dwarf Galaxies on the Tidal Tails of Globular Clusters

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nada El-Falou ◽  
Jeremy J Webb
Keyword(s):  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Dwarf Galaxies ◽  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Galaxy Model ◽  
Galactic Globular Clusters ◽  
Tidal Tails

Abstract The tidal tails of globular clusters have been shown to be sensitive to the external tidal field. We investigate how Galactic globular clusters with observed tails are affected by satellite dwarf galaxies by simulating tails in galaxy models with and without dwarf galaxies. The simulations indicate that tidal tails can be subdivided into into three categories based on how they are affected by dwarf galaxies: 1) dwarf galaxies perturb the progenitor cluster’s orbit (NGC 4590, Pal 1, Pal 5), 2) dwarf galaxies perturb the progenitor cluster’s orbit and individual tail stars (NGC 362, NGC 1851, NGC 4147, NGC 5466, NGC 7492, Pal 14, Pal 15), and 3) dwarf galaxies negligibly affect tidal tails (NGC 288, NGC 5139, NGC 5904, Eridanus). Perturbations to a cluster’s orbit occur when dwarf galaxies pass within its orbit, altering the size and shape of the orbital and tail path. Direct interactions between one or more dwarf galaxies and tail stars lead to kinks and spurs, however we find that features are more difficult to observe in projection. We further find that the tails of Pal 5 are shorter in the galaxy model with dwarf galaxies as it is closer to apocentre, which results in the tails being compressed. Additional simulations reveal that differences between tidal tails in the two galaxy models are primarily due to the Large Magellanic Cloud. Understanding how dwarf galaxies affect tidal tails allows for tails to be used to map the distribution of matter in dwarf galaxies and the Milky Way.

scholarly journals Gaia DR 2 and VLT/FLAMES search for new satellites of the LMC

2019 ◽  
Vol 623 ◽  
pp. A129 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. K. Fritz ◽  
R. Carrera ◽  
G. Battaglia ◽  
S. Taibi
Keyword(s):  
Dark Matter ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Velocity Dispersion ◽  
Dwarf Galaxies ◽  
Dwarf Galaxy ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Near Ir ◽  
Dark Matter Mass ◽  
Internal Properties

A wealth of tiny galactic systems populates the surroundings of the Milky Way. However, some of these objects might have originated as former satellites of the Magellanic Clouds, in particular of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Examples of the importance of understanding how many systems are genuine satellites of the Milky Way or the LMC are the implications that the number and luminosity-mass function of satellites around hosts of different mass have for dark matter theories and the treatment of baryonic physics in simulations of structure formation. Here we aim at deriving the bulk motions and estimates of the internal velocity dispersion and metallicity properties in four recently discovered distant southern dwarf galaxy candidates, Columba I, Reticulum III, Phoenix II, and Horologium II. We combined Gaia DR2 astrometric measurements, photometry, and new FLAMES/GIRAFFE intermediate-resolution spectroscopic data in the region of the near-IR Ca II triplet lines; this combination is essential for finding potential member stars in these low-luminosity systems. We find very likely member stars in all four satellites and are able to determine (or place limits on) the bulk motions and average internal properties of the systems. The systems are found to be very metal poor, in agreement with dwarf galaxies and dwarf galaxy candidates of similar luminosity. Of these four objects, we can only firmly place Phoenix II in the category of dwarf galaxies because of its resolved high velocity dispersion (9.5 −4.4+6.8 km s−1) and intrinsic metallicity spread (0.33 dex). For Columba I we also measure a clear metallicity spread. The orbital pole of Phoenix II is well constrained and close to that of the LMC, suggesting a prior association. The uncertainty on the orbital poles of the other systems is currently very large, so that an association cannot be excluded, except for Columba I. Using the numbers of potential former satellites of the LMC identified here and in the literature, we obtain for the LMC a dark matter mass of M200 = 1.9 −0.9+1.3 × 1011 M⊙.

scholarly journals Wanted for Grand Theft Galaxy: The Milky Way

Eos ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Crowell
Keyword(s):  
Milky Way ◽  
Dwarf Galaxies ◽  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Cloud

Several dwarf galaxies orbiting the Milky Way were likely stolen from the Large Magellanic Cloud.

scholarly journals The mass of the Milky Way out to 100 kpc using halo stars

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alis J Deason ◽  
Denis Erkal ◽  
Vasily Belokurov ◽  
Azadeh Fattahi ◽  
Facundo A Gómez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Distribution Function ◽  
Mass Concentration ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Function Analysis ◽  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Systematic Bias ◽  
Cosmological Simulations ◽  
Halo Stars ◽  
Systematic Effects ◽  
Mass Estimate

Abstract We use a distribution function analysis to estimate the mass of the Milky Way out to 100 kpc using a large sample of halo stars. These stars are compiled from the literature, and the vast majority ($\sim \! 98\%$) have 6D phase-space information. We pay particular attention to systematic effects, such as the dynamical influence of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), and the effect of unrelaxed substructure. The LMC biases the (pre-LMC infall) halo mass estimates towards higher values, while realistic stellar halos from cosmological simulations tend to underestimate the true halo mass. After applying our method to the Milky Way data we find a mass within 100 kpc of M( &lt; 100kpc) = 6.07 ± 0.29(stat.) ± 1.21(sys.) × 1011M⊙. For this estimate, we have approximately corrected for the reflex motion induced by the LMC using the Erkal et al. model, which assumes a rigid potential for the LMC and MW. Furthermore, stars that likely belong to the Sagittarius stream are removed, and we include a 5% systematic bias, and a 20% systematic uncertainty based on our tests with cosmological simulations. Assuming the mass-concentration relation for Navarro-Frenk-White haloes, our mass estimate favours a total (pre-LMC infall) Milky Way mass of M200c = 1.01 ± 0.24 × 1012M⊙, or (post-LMC infall) mass of M200c = 1.16 ± 0.24 × 1012 M⊙ when a 1.5 × 1011M⊙ mass of a rigid LMC is included.

scholarly journals Chemical Abundances of Seven Outer Halo M31 Globular Clusters from the Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (S321) ◽  
pp. 10-12
Author(s):  
Charli M. Sakari
Keyword(s):  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Dwarf Galaxy ◽  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Archaeological Survey ◽  
Chemical Abundances ◽  
Light Spectra ◽  
Sigma Level ◽  
Stellar Streams ◽  
Detailed Chemical

AbstractObservations of stellar streams in M31’s outer halo suggest that M31 is actively accreting several dwarf galaxies and their globular clusters (GCs). Detailed abundances can chemically link clusters to their birth environments, establishing whether or not a GC has been accreted from a satellite dwarf galaxy. This talk presents the detailed chemical abundances of seven M31 outer halo GCs (with projected distances from M31 greater than 30 kpc), as derived from high-resolution integrated-light spectra taken with the Hobby Eberly Telescope. Five of these clusters were recently discovered in the Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey (PAndAS)—this talk presents the first determinations of integrated Fe, Na, Mg, Ca, Ti, Ni, Ba, and Eu abundances for these clusters. Four of the target clusters (PA06, PA53, PA54, and PA56) are metal-poor ([Fe/H] < -1.5), α-enhanced (though they are possibly less alpha-enhanced than Milky Way stars at the 1 sigma level), and show signs of star-to-star Na and Mg variations. The other three GCs (H10, H23, and PA17) are more metal-rich, with metallicities ranging from [Fe/H] = -1.4 to -0.9. While H23 is chemically similar to Milky Way field stars, Milky Way GCs, and other M31 clusters, H10 and PA17 have moderately-low [Ca/Fe], compared to Milky Way field stars and clusters. Additionally, PA17’s high [Mg/Ca] and [Ba/Eu] ratios are distinct from Milky Way stars, and are in better agreement with the stars and clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). None of the clusters studied here can be conclusively linked to any of the identified streams from PAndAS; however, based on their locations, kinematics, metallicities, and detailed abundances, the most metal-rich PAndAS clusters H23 and PA17 may be associated with the progenitor of the Giant Stellar Stream, H10 may be associated with the SW Cloud, and PA53 and PA56 may be associated with the Eastern Cloud.

scholarly journals The interstellar medium of the Magellanic Clouds from absorption lines

1991 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
pp. 401-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaas S. De Boer
Keyword(s):  
Interstellar Medium ◽  
Absorption Line ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Clouds ◽  
Absorption Lines ◽  
Small Magellanic Cloud ◽  
General Aspects

General aspects of ISM studies using absorption line studies are given and available data are reviewed. Topics are: galactic foreground gas, individual fields in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs) and MC coronae. Overall investigations are discussed. It is demonstrated that the metals in the gas of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) are a factor of 3 and 10, respectively, in abundance below solar levels. The depletion pattern in the LMC is similar to that of the Milky Way.

scholarly journals “2-D Frutti” Spectra of B Supergiants in the Milky Way and the LMC

1988 ◽  
Vol 132 ◽  
pp. 559-562
Author(s):  
Edward L. Fitzpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Milky Way ◽  
Photon Counting ◽  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Image Tube ◽  
Blue Region ◽  
Pattern Noise ◽  
Fixed Pattern Noise ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Type Detector

Digital spectra of 7 B-type supergiants in the Milky Way and 15 B-type supergiants in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) were obtained in December 1986 using the “2-D Frutti” detector (2-DF) and the Carnegie Image Tube Spectrograph on the 1-m telescope at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory. The 2-DF is a photon counting, 2-dimensional Shechtman-type detector, now available on both the 1-m and 4-m telescopes at CTIO. The detector/spectrograph configuration used for the December observing run yielded spectra covering the classical blue region, 3800-5000 Å, with a resolution of approximately 3 Å. The typical observing procedure was to obtain spectra for each star at several locations along the slit. The individual spectra were then averaged (to reduce the detector fixed pattern noise) resulting in S/N ratios of 50-60 in the 4300 Å region.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document