scholarly journals Mapping the Galactic disc with the LAMOST and Gaia red clump sample: II. 3D asymmetrical kinematics of mono-age populations in the disc between 6–14  kpc

2019 ◽  
Vol 491 (2) ◽  
pp. 2104-2118 ◽  
Author(s):  
H-F Wang ◽  
M López-Corredoira ◽  
Y Huang ◽  
J L Carlin ◽  
B-Q Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milky Way ◽  
Galactic Disc ◽  
Giant Stars ◽  
Bending Mode ◽  
Red Clump ◽  
Minor Mergers ◽  
Gaia Dr2 ◽  
South Asymmetry ◽  
Spiral Arm ◽  
Fast Rotating

ABSTRACT We perform analysis of the 3D kinematics of Milky Way disc stars in mono-age populations. We focus on stars between Galactocentric distances of R = 6 and 14  kpc, selected from the combined LAMOST Data Release 4 (DR4) red clump giant stars and Gaia DR2 proper motion catalogue. We confirm the 3D asymmetrical motions of recent works and provide time tagging of the Galactic outer disc asymmetrical motions near the anticentre direction out to Galactocentric distances of 14 kpc. Radial Galactocentric motions reach values up to 10 km s−1, depending on the age of the population, and present a north–south asymmetry in the region corresponding to density and velocity substructures that were sensitive to the perturbations in the early 6  Gyr. After that time, the disc stars in this asymmetrical structure have become kinematically hotter, and are thus not sensitive to perturbations, and we find the structure is a relatively younger population. With quantitative analysis, we find stars both above and below the plane at R ≳ 9 kpc that exhibit bending mode motions of which the sensitive duration is around 8  Gyr. We speculate that the in-plane asymmetries might not be mainly caused by a fast rotating bar, intrinsically elliptical outer disc, secular expansion of the disc, or streams. Spiral arm dynamics, out-of-equilibrium models, minor mergers or others are important contributors. Vertical motions might be dominated by bending and breathing modes induced by complicated inner or external perturbers. It is likely that many of these mechanisms are coupled together.

3D asymmetrical kinematics of mono-age populations from LAMOST and Gaia common red clump stars

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (S353) ◽  
pp. 19-21
Author(s):  
H.-F. Wang ◽  
Martn López-Corredoira ◽  
Y. Huang ◽  
Jeffrey L. Carlin
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Azimuthal Velocity ◽  
Giant Stars ◽  
The North ◽  
North Side ◽  
Outer Disk ◽  
Bending Mode ◽  
Red Clump ◽  
Gaia Dr2 ◽  
South Asymmetry

AbstractWith the LAMOST DR4 and Gaia DR2 common red clump giant stars, we investigate the three-dimensional kinematics of Milky Way disk stars in mono-age populations between Galactocentric distances of R = 6 and 15 kpc. We confirm the 3D asymmetrical motions of recent works, and provide time tagging of the Galactic outer disk asymmetrical motions. Radial motions present a north-south asymmetry in the region corresponding to recent density and velocity substructures that were sensitive to the perturbations in the early 6 Gyr. What’s more, we discover a new velocity substructure in the north side corresponding to density dip found recently (“south-middle opposite”) in the radial and azimuthal velocity. Meanwhile, the vertical velocity with clear vertical bulk motions or bending mode motions has no clear asymmetry corresponding to the in-plane asymmetrical features.

scholarly journals Non-parametric density reconstruction of the Galactic bulge area using red clump stars in the VVV survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 499 (2) ◽  
pp. 1937-1947
Author(s):  
Dylan Paterson ◽  
Brendan Coleman ◽  
Chris Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Parametric Method ◽  
Major Axis ◽  
Galactic Bulge ◽  
Buckling Instability ◽  
Giant Stars ◽  
Red Clump ◽  
Red Giant ◽  
High Resolution Reconstruction ◽  
Spiral Arm ◽  
Non Parametric

ABSTRACT Studies of the red clump giant population in the inner Milky Way suggest the Galactic bulge/bar has a boxy/peanut/X-shaped structure as predicted by its formation via a disc buckling instability. We used a non-parametric method of estimating the Galactic bulge morphology that is based on maximum entropy regularization. This enabled us to extract the 3D distribution of the red giant stars in the bulge from deep photometric catalogues of the VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea survey. Our high-resolution reconstruction confirms the well-known boxy/peanut/X-shaped structure of the bulge. We also find spiral arm structures that extend to around 3 kpc in front of and behind the bulge and are on different sides of the bulge major axis. We show that the detection of these structures is robust to the uncertainties in the luminosity function.

scholarly journals Gaia Data Release 2

2018 ◽  
Vol 616 ◽  
pp. A11 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
D. Katz ◽  
T. Antoja ◽  
M. Romero-Gómez ◽  
R. Drimmel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Space ◽  
Velocity Field ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Solar Neighbourhood ◽  
Galactic Centre ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Galactic Disc ◽  
Giant Stars ◽  
Data Release ◽  
Velocity Dispersions

Context. The second Gaia data release (Gaia DR2) contains high-precision positions, parallaxes, and proper motions for 1.3 billion sources as well as line-of-sight velocities for 7.2 million stars brighter than GRVS = 12 mag. Both samples provide a full sky coverage. Aims. To illustrate the potential of Gaia DR2, we provide a first look at the kinematics of the Milky Way disc, within a radius of several kiloparsecs around the Sun. Methods. We benefit for the first time from a sample of 6.4 million F-G-K stars with full 6D phase-space coordinates, precise parallaxes (σϖ∕ϖ ≤ 20%), and precise Galactic cylindrical velocities (median uncertainties of 0.9-1.4 km s-1 and 20% of the stars with uncertainties smaller than 1 km s-1 on all three components). From this sample, we extracted a sub-sample of 3.2 million giant stars to map the velocity field of the Galactic disc from ~5 kpc to ~13 kpc from the Galactic centre and up to 2 kpc above and below the plane. We also study the distribution of 0.3 million solar neighbourhood stars (r < 200 pc), with median velocity uncertainties of 0.4 km s-1, in velocity space and use the full sample to examine how the over-densities evolve in more distant regions. Results. Gaia DR2 allows us to draw 3D maps of the Galactocentric median velocities and velocity dispersions with unprecedented accuracy, precision, and spatial resolution. The maps show the complexity and richness of the velocity field of the galactic disc. We observe streaming motions in all the components of the velocities as well as patterns in the velocity dispersions. For example, we confirm the previously reported negative and positive galactocentric radial velocity gradients in the inner and outer disc, respectively. Here, we see them as part of a non-axisymmetric kinematic oscillation, and we map its azimuthal and vertical behaviour. We also witness a new global arrangement of stars in the velocity plane of the solar neighbourhood and in distant regions in which stars are organised in thin substructures with the shape of circular arches that are oriented approximately along the horizontal direction in the U − V plane. Moreover, in distant regions, we see variations in the velocity substructures more clearly than ever before, in particular, variations in the velocity of the Hercules stream. Conclusions. Gaia DR2 provides the largest existing full 6D phase-space coordinates catalogue. It also vastly increases the number of available distances and transverse velocities with respect to Gaia DR1. Gaia DR2 offers a great wealth of information on the Milky Way and reveals clear non-axisymmetric kinematic signatures within the Galactic disc, for instance. It is now up to the astronomical community to explore its full potential.

scholarly journals Structure of the outer Galactic disc with Gaia DR2

2020 ◽  
Vol 637 ◽  
pp. A96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ž. Chrobáková ◽  
R. Nagy ◽  
M. López-Corredoira
Keyword(s):  
Maximum Amplitude ◽  
Galactic Disc ◽  
Galactocentric Distance ◽  
The North ◽  
Density Maps ◽  
Deconvolution Technique ◽  
Best Fit ◽  
Stellar Density ◽  
Gaia Dr2 ◽  
South Asymmetry

Context. The structure of outer disc of our Galaxy is still not well described, and many features need to be better understood. The second Gaia data release (DR2) provides data in unprecedented quality that can be analysed to shed some light on the outermost parts of the Milky Way. Aims. We calculate the stellar density using star counts obtained from Gaia DR2 up to a Galactocentric distance R = 20 kpc with a deconvolution technique for the parallax errors. Then we analyse the density in order to study the structure of the outer Galactic disc, mainly the warp. Methods. In order to carry out the deconvolution, we used the Lucy inversion technique for recovering the corrected star counts. We also used the Gaia luminosity function of stars with MG <  10 to extract the stellar density from the star counts. Results. The stellar density maps can be fitted by an exponential disc in the radial direction hr = 2.07 ± 0.07 kpc, with a weak dependence on the azimuth, extended up to 20 kpc without any cut-off. The flare and warp are clearly visible. The best fit of a symmetrical S-shaped warp gives zw ≈ z⊙ + (37 ± 4.2(stat.) − 0.91(syst.))pc ⋅ (R/R⊙)2.42 ± 0.76(stat.) + 0.129(syst.)sin(ϕ + 9.3° ±7.37° (stat.) + 4.48° (syst.)) for the whole population. When we analyse the northern and southern warps separately, we obtain an asymmetry of an ∼25% larger amplitude in the north. This result may be influenced by extinction because the GaiaG band is quite prone to extinction biases. However, we tested the accuracy of the extinction map we used, which shows that the extinction is determined very well in the outer disc. Nevertheless, we recall that we do not know the full extinction error, and neither do we know the systematic error of the map, which may influence the final result. The analysis was also carried out for very luminous stars alone (MG <  −2), which on average represents a younger population. We obtain similar scale-length values, while the maximum amplitude of the warp is 20 − 30% larger than with the whole population. The north-south asymmetry is maintained.

scholarly journals From birth associations to field stars: mapping the small-scale orbit distribution in the Galactic disc

2020 ◽  
Vol 495 (4) ◽  
pp. 4098-4112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Coronado ◽  
Hans-Walter Rix ◽  
Wilma H Trick ◽  
Kareem El-Badry ◽  
Jan Rybizki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Main Sequence ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Space Distribution ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Galactic Disc ◽  
Main Sequence Stars ◽  
Orbital Phase ◽  
Angle Space ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Gaia Dr2

ABSTRACT Stars born at the same time in the same place should have formed from gas of the same element composition. But most stars subsequently disperse from their birth siblings, in orbit and orbital phase, becoming ‘field stars’. Here, we explore and provide direct observational evidence for this process in the Milky Way disc, by quantifying the probability that orbit-similarity among stars implies indistinguishable metallicity. We define the orbit similarity among stars through their distance in action-angle space, Δ(J, θ), and their abundance similarity simply by Δ[Fe/H]. Analysing a sample of main-sequence stars from Gaia DR2 and LAMOST, we find an excess of pairs with the same metallicity (Δ[Fe/H] &lt; 0.1) that extends to remarkably large separations in Δ(J, θ) that correspond to nearly 1 kpc distances. We assess the significance of this effect through a mock sample, drawn from a smooth and phase-mixed orbit distribution. Through grouping such star pairs into associations with a friend-of-friends algorithm linked by Δ(J,θ), we find 100s of mono-abundance groups with ≥3 (to ≳20) members; these groups – some clusters, some spread across the sky – are over an order-of-magnitude more abundant than expected for a smooth phase-space distribution, suggesting that we are witnessing the ‘dissolution’ of stellar birth associations into the field.

scholarly journals The chemistry of stars in the bar of the Milky Way

2019 ◽  
Vol 632 ◽  
pp. A121 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Wegg ◽  
A. Rojas-Arriagada ◽  
M. Schultheis ◽  
O. Gerhard
Keyword(s):  
Milky Way ◽  
Giant Stars ◽  
Iron Abundance ◽  
Red Clump ◽  
Bar Formation ◽  
Metallicity Distribution

We use a sample of 938 red clump giant stars located in the direction of the Galactic long bar to study the chemistry of Milky Way bar stars. Kinematically separating stars on bar orbits from stars with inner disc orbits, we find that stars on bar-like orbits are more metal rich with a mean iron abundance of ⟨[Fe/H]⟩ = +0.30 compared to ⟨[Fe/H]⟩ = +0.03 for the inner disc. Spatially selecting bar stars is complicated by a strong vertical metallicity gradient of −1.1 dex kpc−1, but we find the metallicity distribution varies in a manner consistent with our orbital selection. Our results have two possible interpretations. The first is that the most metal rich stars in the inner Galaxy pre-existed the bar, but were kinematically cold at the time of bar formation and therefore more easily captured onto bar orbits when the bar formed. The second is that the most metal rich stars formed after the bar, either directly onto the bar following orbits or were captured by the bar after their formation.

scholarly journals The tale of the Milky Way globular cluster NGC 6362 – I. The orbit and its possible extended star debris features as revealed by Gaia DR2

2019 ◽  
Vol 489 (4) ◽  
pp. 4565-4573
Author(s):  
Richa Kundu ◽  
José G Fernández-Trincado ◽  
Dante Minniti ◽  
Harinder P Singh ◽  
Edmundo Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milky Way ◽  
Galactic Plane ◽  
Vertical Component ◽  
Galactic Disc ◽  
Corotation Radius ◽  
Magnitude Diagram ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
History Of ◽  
Event Based ◽  
Gaia Dr2

ABSTRACTWe report the identification of possible extended star debris candidates beyond the cluster tidal radius of NGC 6362 based on the second Gaia data release (Gaia DR2). We found 259 objects possibly associated with the cluster lying in the vicinity of the giant branch and 1–2 magnitudes fainter/brighter than the main-sequence turn-off in the cluster colour–magnitude diagram and which cover an area on the sky of ∼4.1 deg2 centred on the cluster. We traced back the orbit of NGC 6362 in a realistic Milky Way potential, using the gravpot16 package, for 3 Gyr. The orbit shows that the cluster shares similar orbital properties as the inner disc, having peri-/apogalactic distances, and maximum vertical excursion from the Galactic plane inside the corotation radius (CR), moving inwards from CR radius to visit the inner regions of the Milky Way. The dynamical history of the cluster reveals that it has crossed the Galactic disc several times in its lifetime and has recently undergone a gravitational shock, ∼15.9 Myr ago, suggesting that less than 0.1 per cent of its mass has been lost during the current disc-shocking event. Based on the cluster’s orbit and position in the Galaxy, we conclude that the possible extended star debris candidates are a combined effect of the shocks from the Galactic disc and evaporation from the cluster. Lastly, the evolution of the vertical component of the angular momentum shows that the cluster is strongly affected dynamically by the Galactic bar potential.

scholarly journals Painting a portrait of the Galactic disc with its stellar clusters

2020 ◽  
Vol 640 ◽  
pp. A1 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Cantat-Gaudin ◽  
F. Anders ◽  
A. Castro-Ginard ◽  
C. Jordi ◽  
M. Romero-Gómez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milky Way ◽  
Scale Height ◽  
Stellar Clusters ◽  
Galactic Disc ◽  
Present Sample ◽  
Stellar Cluster ◽  
Homogeneous Cluster ◽  
Cluster Age ◽  
Galactic Warp ◽  
Spiral Arm

Context. The large astrometric and photometric survey performed by the Gaia mission allows for a panoptic view of the Galactic disc and its stellar cluster population. Hundreds of stellar clusters were only discovered after the latest Gaia data release (DR2) and have yet to be characterised. Aims. Here we make use of the deep and homogeneous Gaia photometry down to G = 18 to estimate the distance, age, and interstellar reddening for about 2000 stellar clusters identified with Gaia DR2 astrometry. We use these objects to study the structure and evolution of the Galactic disc. Methods. We relied on a set of objects with well-determined parameters in the literature to train an artificial neural network to estimate parameters from the Gaia photometry of cluster members and their mean parallax. Results. We obtain reliable parameters for 1867 clusters. Our catalogue confirms the relative lack of old stellar clusters in the inner disc (with a few notable exceptions). We also quantify and discuss the variation of scale height with cluster age, and we detect the Galactic warp in the distribution of old clusters. Conclusions. This work results in a large and homogeneous cluster catalogue, allowing one to trace the structure of the disc out to distances of ∼4 kpc. However, the present sample is still unable to trace the outer spiral arm of the Milky Way, which indicates that the outer disc cluster census might still be incomplete.

scholarly journals The power of coordinate transformations in dynamical interpretations of Galactic structure

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (1) ◽  
pp. 818-828
Author(s):  
Jason A S Hunt ◽  
Kathryn V Johnston ◽  
Alex R Pettitt ◽  
Emily C Cunningham ◽  
Daisuke Kawata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milky Way ◽  
Spiral Structure ◽  
Orbit Space ◽  
Current Phase ◽  
Coordinate Systems ◽  
Galactic Disc ◽  
Velocity Wave ◽  
Global View ◽  
Moving Groups ◽  
Gaia Dr2

ABSTRACT Gaia DR2 has provided an unprecedented wealth of information about the positions and motions of stars in our Galaxy and has highlighted the degree of disequilibria in the disc. As we collect data over a wider area of the disc, it becomes increasingly appealing to start analysing stellar actions and angles, which specifically label orbit space, instead of their current phase space location. Conceptually, while $\bar {x}$ and $\bar {v}$ tell us about the potential and local interactions, grouping in action puts together stars that have similar frequencies and hence similar responses to dynamical effects occurring over several orbits. Grouping in actions and angles refines this further to isolate stars that are travelling together through space and hence have shared histories. Mixing these coordinate systems can confuse the interpretation. For example, it has been suggested that by moving stars to their guiding radius, the Milky Way spiral structure is visible as ridge-like overdensities in the Gaia data (Khoperskov et al. 2020). However, in this work, we show that these features are in fact the known kinematic moving groups, both in the Lz − ϕ and the vR − vϕ planes. Using simulations, we show how this distinction will become even more important as we move to a global view of the Milky Way. As an example, we show that the radial velocity wave seen in the Galactic disc in Gaia and APOGEE should become stronger in the action-angle frame, and that it can be reproduced by transient spiral structure.

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