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A deep view into the nucleus of the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy: M54

  • M. Alfaro-Cuello
  • , N. Kacharov
  • , N. Neumayer
  • , A. Mastrobuono-Battisti
  • , N. Lützgendorf
  • , Anil C. Seth
  • , T. Böker
  • , S. Kamann
  • , R. Leaman
  • , G. Van De Ven
  • , P. Bianchini
  • , L. L. Watkins
  • , M. Lyubenova

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Nuclear star clusters hosted by dwarf galaxies exhibit similar characteristics to high-mass, metal complex globular clusters. This type of globular clusters could, therefore, be former nuclei from accreted galaxies. M54 resides in the photometric center of the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy, at a distance where resolving stars is possible. M54 offers the opportunity to study a nucleus before the stripping of their host by the tidal field effects of the Milky Way. We use a MUSE data set to perform a detailed analysis of over 6600 stars. We characterize the stars by metallicity, age, and kinematics, identifying the presence of three stellar populations: A young metal-rich (YMR), an intermediate-Age metal-rich (IMR), and an old metal-poor (OMP). The evidence suggests that the OMP population is the result of accretion of globular clusters in the center of the host, while the YMR population was born in-situ in the center of the OMP population.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)47-50
Number of pages4
JournalProceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Volume14
Issue number351
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • M56 (NGC 6751)

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