Stellar kinematics of dwarf galaxies from multi-epoch spectroscopy: application to Triangulum II

Rachel Buttry, Andrew B. Pace, Sergey E. Koposov, Matthew G. Walker, Nelson Caldwell, Evan N. Kirby, Nicolas F. Martin, Mario Mateo, Edward W. Olszewski, Else Starkenburg, Carles Badenes, Christine Mazzola Daher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present new MMT/Hectochelle spectroscopic measurements for 257 stars observed along the line of sight to the ultrafaint dwarf galaxy Triangulum II (Tri II). Combining results from previous Keck/DEIMOS spectroscopy, we obtain a sample that includes 16 likely members of Tri II, with up to 10 independent redshift measurements per star. To this multi-epoch kinematic data set, we apply methodology that we develop in order to infer binary orbital parameters from sparsely sampled radial velocity curves with as few as two epochs. For a previously identified (spatially unresolved) binary system in Tri II, we infer an orbital solution with period 296.0-3.3+3.8 d, semimajor axis 1.12+0.41-0.24 au, and systemic velocity-380.0 ± 1.7 kms-1 that we then use in the analysis of Tri II's internal kinematics. Despite this improvement in the modelling of binary star systems, the current data remain insufficient to resolve the velocity dispersion of Tri II. We instead find a 95 per cent confidence upper limit of σv ≤ 3.4 kms-1.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1706-1719
Number of pages14
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume514
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2022

Keywords

  • binaries: spectroscopic
  • galaxies: kinematics and dynamics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Stellar kinematics of dwarf galaxies from multi-epoch spectroscopy: application to Triangulum II'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this