ABSTRACT
A chemo-dynamical analysis of 115 metal-poor candidate stars selected from the narrow-band Pristine photometric survey is presented based on CFHT high-resolution ESPaDOnS spectroscopy. We ...have discovered 28 new bright (V < 15) stars with Fe/H < −2.5 and 5 with Fe/H < −3.0 for success rates of 40 (28/70) and 19 per cent (5/27), respectively. A detailed model atmosphere analysis is carried out for the 28 new metal-poor stars. Stellar parameters were determined from SDSS photometric colours, Gaia DR2 parallaxes, MESA/MIST stellar isochrones, and the initial Pristine survey metallicities, following a Bayesian inference method. Chemical abundances are determined for 10 elements (Na, Mg, Ca, Sc, Ti, Cr, Fe, Ni, Y, and Ba). Most stars show chemical abundance patterns that are similar to the normal metal-poor stars in the Galactic halo; however, we also report the discoveries of a new r-process-rich star, a new CEMP-s candidate with Y/Ba > 0, and a metal-poor star with very low Mg/Fe. The kinematics and orbits for all of the highly probable metal-poor candidates are determined by combining our precision radial velocities with Gaia DR2 proper motions. Some stars show unusual kinematics for their chemistries, including planar orbits, unbound orbits, and highly elliptical orbits that plunge deeply into the Galactic bulge (Rperi < 0.5 kpc); also, eight stars have orbital energies and actions consistent with the Gaia-Enceladus accretion event. This paper contributes to our understanding of the complex chemo-dynamics of the metal-poor Galaxy, and increases the number of known bright metal-poor stars available for detailed nucleosynthetic studies.
Abstract
We present the Pristine survey, a new narrow-band photometric survey focused on the metallicity-sensitive Ca H&K lines and conducted in the Northern hemisphere with the wide-field imager ...MegaCam on the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope. This paper reviews our overall survey strategy and discusses the data processing and metallicity calibration. Additionally we review the application of these data to the main aims of the survey, which are to gather a large sample of the most metal-poor stars in the Galaxy, to further characterize the faintest Milky Way satellites, and to map the (metal-poor) substructure in the Galactic halo. The current Pristine footprint comprises over 1000 deg2 in the Galactic halo ranging from b ∼ 30° to ∼78° and covers many known stellar substructures. We demonstrate that, for Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) stellar objects, we can calibrate the photometry at the 0.02-mag level. The comparison with existing spectroscopic metallicities from SDSS/Sloan Extension for Galactic Understanding and Exploration (SEGUE) and Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope shows that, when combined with SDSS broad-band g and i photometry, we can use the CaHK photometry to infer photometric metallicities with an accuracy of ∼0.2 dex from Fe/H = −0.5 down to the extremely metal-poor regime (Fe/H < −3.0). After the removal of various contaminants, we can efficiently select metal-poor stars and build a very complete sample with high purity. The success rate of uncovering Fe/HSEGUE < −3.0 stars among Fe/HPristine < −3.0 selected stars is 24 per cent, and 85 per cent of the remaining candidates are still very metal poor (Fe/H<−2.0). We further demonstrate that Pristine is well suited to identify the very rare and pristine Galactic stars with Fe/H < −4.0, which can teach us valuable lessons about the early Universe.
ABSTRACT
We present an extensive study of the Sagittarius II (Sgr II) stellar system using MegaCam g and i photometry, narrow-band, metallicity-sensitive calcium H&K doublet photometry and Keck ...II/DEIMOS multiobject spectroscopy. We derive and refine the Sgr II structural and stellar properties inferred at the time of its discovery. The colour–magnitude diagram implies Sgr II is old (12.0 ± 0.5 Gyr) and metal poor. The CaHK photometry confirms the metal-poor nature of the satellite (Fe/H CaHK = −2.32 ± 0.04 dex) and suggests that Sgr II hosts more than one single stellar population ($\sigma _\mathrm{FeH}^\mathrm{CaHK} = 0.11^{+0.05}_{-0.03}$ dex). Using the Ca infrared triplet measured from our highest signal-to-noise spectra, we confirm the metallicity and dispersion inferred from the Pristine photometric metallicities (Fe/Hspectro = −2.23 ± 0.05 dex, $\sigma _\mathrm{Fe/H}^\mathrm{spectro} = 0.10 ^{+0.06}_{-0.04}$ dex). The velocity dispersion of the system is found to be $\sigma _{v} = 2.7^{+1.3}_{-1.0} {\rm \, km \,\, s^{-1}}$ after excluding two potential binary stars. Sgr II’s metallicity and absolute magnitude (MV = −5.7 ± 0.1 mag) place the system on the luminosity–metallicity relation of the Milky Way dwarf galaxies despite its small size. The low but resolved metallicity and velocity dispersions paint the picture of a slightly dark-matter-dominated satellite ($M/L = 23.0^{+32.8}_{-23.0}$ M⊙ L$^{-1}_{\odot }$). Furthermore, using the Gaia Data Release 2, we constrain the orbit of the satellite and find an apocentre of $118.4 ^{+28.4}_{-23.7} {\rm \, kpc}$ and a pericentre of $54.8 ^{+3.3}_{-6.1} {\rm \, kpc}$. The orbit of Sgr II is consistent with the trailing arm of the Sgr stream and indicates that it is possibly a satellite of the Sgr dSph that was tidally stripped from the dwarf’s influence.
Abstract We study the size and structure of globular cluster (GC) systems of 118 early-type galaxies from the NGVS, MATLAS, and ACSVCS surveys. Fitting Sérsic profiles, we investigate the ...relationship between effective radii of GC systems ( R e ,gc ) and galaxy properties. GC systems are 2–4 times more extended than host galaxies across the entire stellar mass range of our sample (10 8.3 M ⊙ < M * < 10 11.6 M ⊙ ). The relationship between R e ,gc and galaxy stellar mass exhibits a characteristic “knee” at a stellar mass of M p ≃ 10 10.8 , similar to the galaxy R e –stellar mass relationship. We present a new characterization of the traditional blue and red GC color subpopulations, describing them with respect to host galaxy ( g ′ − i ′ ) color (Δ gi ): GCs with similar colors to their hosts have a “red” Δ gi , and those significantly bluer GCs have a “blue” Δ gi . The GC populations with red Δ gi , even in dwarf galaxies, are twice as extended as the stars, suggesting that formation or survival mechanisms favor the outer regions. We find a tight correlation between R e ,gc and the total number of GCs, with intrinsic scatter ≲0.1 dex spanning two and three orders of magnitude in size and number, respectively. This holds for both red and blue subpopulations, albeit with different slopes. Assuming that N GC,Total correlates with M 200 , we find that the red GC systems have effective radii of roughly 1%–5% R 200 , while the blue GC systems in massive galaxies can have sizes as large as ∼10% R 200 . Environmental dependence on R e ,gc is also found, with lower-density environments exhibiting more extended GC systems at fixed mass.
We present a detailed study of the faint Milky Way satellite Draco II (Dra II) from deep CFHT/MegaCam broad-band g and i photometry and narrow-band metallicity-sensitive CaHK observations, along with ...follow-up Keck II/DEIMOS multi-object spectroscopy. Forward modelling of the deep photometry allows us to refine the structural and photometric properties of Dra II: the distribution of stars in colour-magnitude space implies Dra II is old (13.5 ± 0.5 Gyr), very metal-poor, very faint (L_V = 180 ^{+124}_{-72} { L_⊙}), and at a distance d = 21.5 ± 0.4 { kpc}. The narrow-band, metallicity-sensitive CaHK Pristine photometry confirms this very low metallicity (Fe/H = -2.7 ± 0.1 dex). Even though our study benefits from a doubling of the spectroscopic sample size compared to previous investigations, the velocity dispersion of the system is still only marginally resolved (σ _{vr}< 5.9 { km s^{-1}} at the 95 per cent confidence level) and confirms that Dra II is a dynamically cold stellar system with a large recessional velocity (< vr> = -342.5^{+1.1}_{-1.2}{ km s^{-1}}). We further show that the spectroscopically confirmed members of Dra II have a mean proper motion of (μ _α ^*,μ _δ)=(1.26 ± 0.27,0.94 ± 0.28) { mas/yr} in the Gaia DR2 data, which translates to an orbit with a pericentre and an apocentre of 21.3 ^{+0.7}_{-1.0} and 153.8 ^{+56.7}_{-34.7} { kpc}, respectively. Taken altogether, these properties favour the scenario of Dra II being a potentially disrupting dwarf galaxy. The low-significance extra-tidal features we map around the satellite tentatively support this scenario.
We present an analysis of 39 nuclei and their early-type hosts in the Virgo Cluster using 10 broadband filters: F300W, F475W, F850LP, F160W, u * griz , and Ks. We describe the Virgo Redux program, ...which provides high-resolution UV and NIR imaging. Combining this data with optical and NIR imaging from the ACS Virgo Cluster Survey and the Next Generation Virgo Cluster Survey, we estimate masses, metallicities, and ages using simple stellar population (SSP) models. For 19 nuclei, we compare to SSP parameters derived from Keck and Gemini spectra and find reasonable agreement between the photometric and spectroscopic metallicity: the rms scatter is 0.3 dex. We reproduce the nucleus-galaxy mass fraction of 0.33 − 0.07 + 0.09 % for galaxy stellar masses 10 8.4 - 10 10.3 M with a typical precision of ∼35% for the nuclei masses. Based on available model predictions, there is no single preferred formation scenario for nuclei, suggesting that nuclei are formed stochastically through a mix of processes. Nuclei metallicities are statistically identical to those of their hosts, appearing 0.07 0.3 dex more metal-rich on average; however, omitting galaxies with unusual origins, nuclei are 0.20 0.28 dex more metal-rich. Nuclei appear to be 0.56 0.12 dex more metal-rich than ultracompact dwarf galaxies (UCDs) at fixed mass. We find no clear age difference between nuclei and their galaxies, with nuclei displaying a broad range of ages. Interestingly, we find that the most massive nuclei may be flatter and more closely aligned with the semimajor axes of their hosts, suggesting that they formed through predominantly dissipative processes.
Abstract We show that hard encounters in the central regions of globular clusters (GCs) embedded in dark matter (DM) haloes necessarily lead to the formation of gravitationally bound stellar ...envelopes that extend far beyond the nominal tidal radius of the system. Using statistical arguments and numerical techniques, we derive the equilibrium distribution function of stars ejected from the centre of a non-divergent spherical potential. Independently of the velocity distribution with which stars are ejected, GC envelopes have density profiles that approach asymptotically ρ ∼ r−4 at large distances and become isothermal towards the centre. Adding a DM halo component leaves two clear-cut observational signatures: (i) a flattening, or slightly increase of the projected velocity dispersion profile at large distances, and (ii) an outer surface density profile that is systematically shallower than in models with no DM.
ABSTRACT
Metal-poor stars are important tools for tracing the early history of the Milky Way, and for learning about the first generations of stars. Simulations suggest that the oldest metal-poor ...stars are to be found in the inner Galaxy. Typical bulge surveys, however, lack low metallicity ($\rm {Fe/H} \lt -1.0$) stars because the inner Galaxy is predominantly metal-rich. The aim of the Pristine Inner Galaxy Survey (PIGS) is to study the metal-poor and very metal-poor (VMP, $\rm {Fe/H} \lt -2.0$) stars in this region. In PIGS, metal-poor targets for spectroscopic follow-up are selected from metallicity-sensitive CaHK photometry from the CFHT. This work presents the ∼250 deg2 photometric survey as well as intermediate-resolution spectroscopic follow-up observations for ∼8000 stars using AAOmega on the AAT. The spectra are analysed using two independent tools: ULySS with an empirical spectral library, and FERRE with a library of synthetic spectra. The comparison between the two methods enables a robust determination of the stellar parameters and their uncertainties. We present a sample of 1300 VMP stars – the largest sample of VMP stars in the inner Galaxy to date. Additionally, our spectroscopic data set includes ∼1700 horizontal branch stars, which are useful metal-poor standard candles. We furthermore show that PIGS photometry selects VMP stars with unprecedented efficiency: 86 per cent/80 per cent (lower/higher extinction) of the best candidates satisfy $\rm {Fe/H} \lt -2.0$, as do 80 per cent/63 per cent of a larger, less strictly selected sample. We discuss future applications of this unique data set that will further our understanding of the chemical and dynamical evolution of the innermost regions of our Galaxy.
Using deep, high-resolution optical imaging from the Next Generation Virgo Cluster Survey, we study the properties of nuclear star clusters (NSCs) in a sample of nearly 400 quiescent galaxies in the ...core of Virgo with stellar masses 105 / 1012. The nucleation fraction reaches a peak value fn 90% for 109 galaxies and declines for both higher and lower masses, but nuclei populate galaxies as small as 5 × 105 . Comparison with literature data for nearby groups and clusters shows that at the low-mass end nucleation is more frequent in denser environments. The NSC mass function peaks at MNSC 7 × 105 , a factor 3-4 times larger than the turnover mass for globular clusters (GCs). We find a nonlinear relation between the stellar masses of NSCs and those of their host galaxies, with a mean nucleus-to-galaxy mass ratio that drops to MNSC/M 3.6 × 10−3 for 5 × 109 galaxies. Nuclei in both more and less massive galaxies are much more prominent: at the low-mass end, where nuclei are nearly 50% as massive as their hosts. We measure an intrinsic scatter in NSC masses at a fixed galaxy stellar mass of 0.4 dex, which we interpret as evidence that the process of NSC growth is significantly stochastic. At low galaxy masses we find a close connection between NSCs and GC systems, including very similar occupation distributions and comparable total masses. We discuss these results in the context of current dissipative and dissipationless models of NSC formation.
The early Universe presented a star formation environment that was almost devoid of heavy elements. The lowest metallicity stars thus provide a unique window into the earliest Galactic stages, but ...are exceedingly rare and difficult to find. Here, we present the discovery of an ultra-metal-poor star, Pristine_221.8781+9.7844, using narrow-band Ca H&K photometry from the Pristine survey. Follow-up medium- and high-resolution spectroscopy confirms the ultra-metal-poor nature of Pristine_221.8781+9.7844 (Fe/H = −4.66 ± 0.13 in 1D LTE) with an enhancement of 0.3–0.4 dex in α-elements relative to Fe, and an unusually low carbon abundance. We derive an upper limit of A(C) = 5.6, well below typical A(C) values for such ultra-metal-poor stars. This makes Pristine_221.8781+9.7844 one of the most metal-poor stars; in fact, it is very similar to the most metal-poor star known (SDSS J102915+172927). The existence of a class of ultra-metal-poor stars with low(er) carbon abundances suggest that there must have been several formation channels in the early Universe through which long-lived, low-mass stars were formed.
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