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Register a new userThe Globular Cluster System of the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy: The age of Terzan 8
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We present deep V,I CCD photometry of the globular cluster Terzan 8, recently found to be a member of the globular cluster system of the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy. We accurately estimate the metallicity of Ter 8 and provide the first direct determination of the color excess toward this cluster. Our robust age estimate confirms that this cluster is indeed coeval with typical galactic globulars of comparable metal content, and thus it is probably significantly older than at least two other Sagittarius clusters, Terzan 7 and Arp 2. The implications of this result on the star formation history of the Sagittarius galaxy are briefly discussed.
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Massive globular clusters (GCs) contain at least two generations of stars with slightly different ages and clearly distinct light elements abundances. The Na-O anticorrelation is the best studied chemical signature of multiple stellar generations. Low-mass clusters appear instead to be usually chemically homogeneous. We are investigating low-mass GCs to understand what is the lower mass limit where multiple populations can form, mainly using the Na and O abundance distribution. We used VLT/FLAMES spectra of giants in the low-mass, metal-poor GC Terzan 8, belonging to the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy, to determine abundances of Fe, O, Na, alpha-, Fe-peak, and neutron-capture elements in six stars observed with UVES and 14 observed with GIRAFFE. The average metallicity is [Fe/H]=-2.27+/-0.03 (rms=0.08), based on the six high-resolution UVES spectra. Only one star, observed with GIRAFFE, shows an enhanced abundance of Na and we tentatively assign it to the second generation. In this cluster, at variance with what happens in more massive GCs, the second generation seems to represent at most a small minority fraction. We discuss the implications of our findings, comparing Terzan 8 with the other Sgr dSph GCs, to GCs and field stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud, Fornax, and in other dwarfs galaxies.
We use the fundamental-mode RR Lyr-type variable stars (RRab) from OGLE-IV survey to draw a 3D picture of the central part of the tidally disrupted Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal (Sgr dSph) galaxy. We estimate the line-of-sight thickness of the Sgr dSph stream to be FWHM_cen=2.42 kpc. Based on OGLE-IV observations collected in seasons 2011-2014 we conduct a comprehensive study of stellar variability in the field of the globular cluster M54 (NGC 6715) residing in the core of this dwarf galaxy. Among the total number of 268 detected variable stars we report the identification of 174 RR Lyr stars, four Type II Cepheids, 51 semi-regular variable red giants, three SX Phe-type stars, 18 eclipsing binary systems. Eighty-three variable stars are new discoveries. The distance to the cluster determined from RRab stars is d_M54 = 26.7 +/-0.03(stat) +/-1.3(sys) kpc. From the location of RRab stars in the period-amplitude (Bailey) diagram we confirm the presence of two old populations, both in the cluster and the Sgr dSph stream.
As part of our on-going project on the homogeneous chemical characterization of multiple stellar populations in globular clusters (GCs), we studied NGC 5634, associated to the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy, using high-resolution spectroscopy of red giant stars collected with FLAMES@VLT. We present here the radial velocity distribution of the 45 observed stars, 43 of which are member, the detailed chemical abundance of 22 species for the seven stars observed with UVES-FLAMES, and the abundance of six elements for stars observed with GIRAFFE. On our homogeneous UVES metallicity scale we derived a low metallicity [Fe/H]=-1.867 +/-0.019 +/-0.065 dex (+/-statistical +/-systematic error) with sigma=0.050 dex (7 stars). We found the normal anti-correlations between light elements (Na and O, Mg and Al), signature of multiple populations typical of massive and old GCs. We confirm the associations of NGC 5634 to the Sgr dSph, from which the cluster was lost a few Gyr ago, on the basis of its velocity and position and the abundance ratios of alpha and neutron capture elements.
We present a study of the central parts of the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy (Sgr). We found a clear overdensity of Sgrs stars around M~54 (hereafter NS). NS is well represented by a King model and it has the characteristics of a typical dwarf elliptical nucleus. Whether this means that M~54 has spiraled into the potential well of NS or that M~54 is the real nucleus and NS has formed into its potential wells, remains an open question to be addressed.
The identification of two new Planetary Nebulae in the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy (Sgr) is presented. This brings the total number to four. The first, StWr 2-21, belongs to the main body of Sgr. The second, the halo PN BoBn 1, has a location, distance and velocity in agreement with the leading tidal tail of Sgr. We estimate that 10 per cent of the Galactic halo consists of Sgr debris. The specific frequency of PNe indicates a total luminosity of Sgr, including its tidal tails, of M_V=-14.1. StWr 2-21 shows a high abundance of [O/H]=-0.23, which confirms the high-metallicity population in Sgr uncovered by Bonaficio et al. (2004). The steep metallicity--age gradient in Sgr is due to ISM removal during the Galactic plane passages, ISM reformation due to stellar mass loss, and possibly accretion of metal-enriched gas from our Galaxy. The ISM re-formation rate of Sgr, from stellar mass loss, is 5 X 10^-4 M_sun yr^-1, amounting to ~10^6 M_sun per orbital period. HST images reveal well-developed bipolar morphologies, and provide clear detections of the central stars. All three stars with deep spectra show WR-lines, suggesting that the progenitor mass and metallicity determines whether a PN central star develops a WR spectrum. One Sgr PN belongs to the class of IR-[WC] stars. Expansion velocities are determined for three nebulae. Comparison with hydrodynamical models indicates an initial density profile of rho ~ r^-3. This is evidence for increasing mass-loss rates on the AGB. Peak mass-loss rates are indicated of ~ 10^-4 M_sun yr^-1. The IR-[WC] PN, He 2-436, provides the sole direct detection of dust in a dwarf spheroidal galaxy, to date.
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