Bibcode
Sollima, A.; Martínez-Delgado, D.; Valls-Gabaud, D.; Peñarrubia, J.
Bibliographical reference
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 726, Issue 1, article id. 47 (2011).
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1
2011
Journal
Citations
72
Refereed citations
62
Description
We report the detection of a pair of degree-long tidal tails associated
with the globular cluster Palomar 14, using images obtained at the
Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. We reveal a power-law departure from a
King profile at large distances to the cluster center. The density map
constructed with the optimal matched filter technique shows a nearly
symmetrical and elongated distribution of stars on both sides of the
cluster, forming an S-shape characteristic of mass loss. This evidence
may be the telltale signature of tidal stripping in action. This,
together with its large Galactocentric distance, imposes strong
constraints on its orbit and/or origin: (1) it must follow an external
orbit confined to the peripheral region of the Galactic halo and/or (2)
it formed in a satellite galaxy later accreted by the Milky Way.
Related projects
Traces of Galaxy Formation: Stellar populations, Dynamics and Morphology
We are a large, diverse, and very active research group aiming to provide a comprehensive picture for the formation of galaxies in the Universe. Rooted in detailed stellar population analysis, we are constantly exploring and developing new tools and ideas to understand how galaxies came to be what we now observe.
Ignacio
Martín Navarro