SIMBAD references

2011ApJ...733...46S - Astrophys. J., 733, 46 (2011/May-3)

A complete spectroscopic survey of the Milky Way satellite Segue 1: the darkest galaxy.

SIMON J.D., GEHA M., MINOR Q.E., MARTINEZ G.D., KIRBY E.N., BULLOCK J.S., KAPLINGHAT M., STRIGARI L.E., WILLMAN B., CHOI P.I., TOLLERUD E.J. and WOLF J.

Abstract (from CDS):

We present the results of a comprehensive Keck/DEIMOS spectroscopic survey of the ultra-faint Milky Way satellite galaxy Segue 1. We have obtained velocity measurements for 98.2% of the stars within 67 pc (10', or 2.3 half-light radii) of the center of Segue 1 that have colors and magnitudes consistent with membership, down to a magnitude limit of r = 21.7. Based on photometric, kinematic, and metallicity information, we identify 71 stars as probable Segue 1 members, including some as far out as 87 pc. After correcting for the influence of binary stars using repeated velocity measurements, we determine a velocity dispersion of 3.7+1.4_- 1.1_ km/s. The mass within the half-light radius is 5.8+8.2_- 3.1_x105 M. The stellar kinematics of Segue 1 require very high mass-to-light ratios unless the system is far from dynamical equilibrium, even if the period distribution of unresolved binary stars is skewed toward implausibly short periods. With a total luminosity less than that of a single bright red giant and a V-band mass-to-light ratio of 3400 M/L, Segue 1 is the darkest galaxy currently known. We critically re-examine recent claims that Segue 1 is a tidally disrupting star cluster and that kinematic samples are contaminated by the Sagittarius stream. The extremely low metallicities ([Fe/H] < -3) of two Segue 1 stars and the large metallicity spread among the members demonstrate conclusively that Segue 1 is a dwarf galaxy, and we find no evidence in favor of tidal effects. We also show that contamination by the Sagittarius stream has been overestimated. Segue 1 has the highest estimated dark matter density of any known galaxy and will therefore be a prime testing ground for dark matter physics and galaxy formation on small scales.

Abstract Copyright:

Journal keyword(s): dark matter - galaxies: dwarf - galaxies: individual: Segue 1 - galaxies: kinematics and dynamics - Local Group

VizieR on-line data: <Available at CDS (J/ApJ/733/46): table3.dat>

Simbad objects: 408

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