Dwarf Spheroidal Research Articles

Orbital pericentres and the inferred dark matter halo structure of satellite galaxies

ABSTRACT Using the phat-ELVIS suite of Milky Way-sized halo simulations, we show that subhalo orbital pericentres, rperi, correlate with their dark matter halo structural properties. Specifically, at fixed maximum circular velocity, Vmax, subhaloes with smaller rperi are more concentrated (have smaller rmax values) and have lost more mass, with larger peak circular velocities, Vpeak, prior to infall. These trends provide information that can tighten constraints on the inferred Vmax and Vpeak values for known Milky Way satellites. We illustrate this using published pericentre estimates enabled by Gaia for the nine classical Milky Way dwarf spheroidal satellites. The two densest dSph satellites (Draco and Ursa Minor) have relatively small pericentres, and this pushes their inferred rmax and Vmax values lower than they would have been without pericentre information. For Draco, we infer $V_{\rm max} = 23.5 \, \pm 3.3$ km s−1 (compared to $27.3 \, \pm 7.1$ km s−1 without pericentre information). Such a shift exacerbates the traditional Too Big to Fail problem. Draco’s peak circular velocity range prior to infall narrows from Vpeak = 21–51 km s−1 without pericentre information to Vpeak = 25–37 km s−1 with the constraint. Over the full population of classical dwarf spheroidals, we find no correlation between Vpeak and stellar mass today, indicative of a high level of stochasticity in galaxy formation at stellar masses below ∼107 M⊙. As proper motion measurements for dwarf satellites become more precise, they should enable useful priors on the expected structure and evolution of their host dark matter subhaloes.

Dynamical friction in Bose-Einstein condensed self-interacting dark matter at finite temperatures, and the Fornax dwarf spheroidal

Aims. The aim of the present work is to better understand the gravitational drag forces, also referred to as dynamical friction, acting on massive objects moving through a self-interacting Bose-Einstein condensate, also known as a superfluid, at finite temperatures. This is relevant for models of dark matter consisting of light scalar particles with weak self-interactions that require nonzero temperatures, or that have been heated inside galaxies. Methods. We derived expressions for dynamical friction using linear perturbation theory, and compared these to numerical simulations in which nonlinear effects are included. After testing the linear result, it was applied to the Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy, and two of its gravitationally bound globular clusters. Dwarf spheroidals are well-suited for indirectly probing properties of dark matter, and so by estimating the rate at which these globular clusters are expected to sink into their host halo due to dynamical friction, we inferred limits on the superfluid dark matter parameter space. Results. The dynamical friction in a finite-temperature superfluid is found to behave very similarly to the zero-temperature limit, even when the thermal contributions are large. However, when a critical velocity for the superfluid flow is included, the friction force can transition from the zero-temperature value to the value in a conventional thermal fluid. Increasing the mass of the perturbing object induces a similar transition to when lowering the critical velocity. When applied to two of Fornax’s globular clusters, we find that the parameter space preferred in the literature for a zero-temperature superfluid yields decay times that are in agreement with observations. However, the present work suggests that increasing the temperature, which is expected to change the preferred parameter space, may lead to very small decay times, and therefore pose a problem for finite-temperature superfluid models of dark matter.

Revealing the Structure and Internal Rotation of the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy with Gaia and Machine Learning

Abstract We present a detailed study of the internal structure and kinematics of the core of the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy (Sgr). Using machine-learning techniques, we have combined the information provided by 3300 RR Lyrae stars, more than 2000 spectroscopically observed stars, and the Gaia second data release to derive the full phase space, i.e., 3D positions and kinematics, of more than 1.2 × 105 member stars in the core of the galaxy. Our results show that Sgr has a bar structure ∼2.5 kpc long, and that tidal tails emerge from its tips to form what it is known as the Sgr stream. The main body of the galaxy, strongly sheared by tidal forces, is a triaxial (almost prolate) ellipsoid with its longest principal axis of inertia inclined 43° ± 6° with respect to the plane of the sky and axis ratios of 1:0.67:0.60. Its external regions are expanding mainly along its longest principal axis, yet the galaxy conserves an inner core of about 500×330×300 pc that shows no net expansion and is rotating at v rot = 4.13 ± 0.16 km s−1. The internal angular momentum of the galaxy forms an angle θ = 18° ± 6° with respect to its orbital angular momentum, meaning that Sgr is in an inclined prograde orbit around the Milky Way. We compared our results with predictions from N-body models with spherical, pressure-supported progenitors and a model whose progenitor is a flattened rotating disk. Only the rotating model, based on preexisting simulations aimed at reproducing the line-of-sight velocity gradients observed in Sgr, was able to reproduce the observed properties in the core of the galaxy.

Discovery of a Candidate Hypervelocity Star Originating from the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy

Abstract In this Letter, we report the discovery of an intriguing hypervelocity star (HVS; J1443+1453) candidate that is probably from the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal galaxy (Sgr dSph). The star is an old and very metal-poor low-mass main-sequence turn-off star (age ∼14.0 Gyr and [Fe/H] = −2.23 dex) and has a total velocity of km s−1 in the Galactic rest frame and a heliocentric distance of kpc. The velocity of J1443+1453 is larger than the escape speed at its position, suggesting that it is a promising HVS candidate. By reconstructing its trajectory in the Galactic potential, we find that the orbit of J1443+1453 intersects closely with that of Sgr dSph Myr ago, when the latter has its latest pericentric passage through the Milky Way. The encounter occurs at a distance kpc from the center of Sgr dSph, a distance that is smaller than the size of the Sgr dSph. The chemical properties of this star are also consistent with those of an Sgr dSph-associated globular cluster, or of the Sgr stream member stars. Our finding suggests that J1443+1453 is an HVS that is either tidally stripped from the Sgr dSph or ejected from the Sgr dSph by the gravitational slingshot effect, requiring a (central) massive/intermediate-mass black hole or a (central) massive primordial black hole in the Sgr dSph.

Dark matter interpretation of the Fermi-LAT observations toward the outer halo of M31.

An excess γ-ray signal toward the outer halo of M31 has recently been reported. Although other explanations are plausible, the possibility that it arises from dark matter (DM) is valid. In this work we interpret the excess in the framework of DM annihilation, using as our representative case WIMP DM annihilating to bottom quarks, and we perform a detailed study of the systematic uncertainty in the J-factor for the M31 field. We find that the signal favors a DM particle with a mass of ~45-72 GeV. While the mass is well constrained, the systematic uncertainty in the cross section spans 3 orders of magnitude, ranging from ~5 × 10-27-5 × 10-24 cm3 s-1. This high uncertainty is due to two main factors, namely, an uncertainty in the substructure nature and geometry of the DM halos for both M31 and the Milky Way (MW), and correspondingly, an uncertainty in the contribution to the signal from the MW's DM halo along the line of sight. However, under the conditions that the minimum subhalo mass is ≲10-6 M ⊙ and the actual contribution from the MW's DM halo along the line of sight is at least ~30% of its total value, we show that there is a large overlap with the DM interpretations of both the Galactic center (GC) excess and the antiproton excess, while also being compatible with the limits for the MW dwarf spheroidals. More generally, we summarize the results from numerous complementary DM searches in the energy range 10 GeV-300 GeV corresponding to the GC excess and identify a region in parameter space that still remains viable for discovery of the DM particle.

Spatial segregation impact on star formation in nearby dwarf spheroidal galaxies

ABSTRACT Using our Hubble Space Telescope/Advanced Camera for Surveys (HST/ACS) observations of the recently found isolated dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxies, we homogeneously measured their star formation histories (SFHs). We determined SF rate as a function of time, as well as age and metallicity of the stellar populations. All objects demonstrate complex SFH, with a significant portion of stars formed 10–13 Gyr ago. Nevertheless, stars of middle ages (1–8 Gyr) are presented. In order to understand how the SF parameters influence the evolution of dSphs, we also studied a sample of nearest dSphs in different environment: isolated (d < 2 Mpc); beyond the Local Group (LG) virial radius (but within the LG zero-velocity sphere); and the satellites of M 31 located within the virial zone (300 kpc). Using archival HST/ACS observations, we measured their SFHs. A comparative analysis of the parameters obtained allow us to distinguish a possible effect of the spatial segregation on the dSphs evolution scenario.

Stringent constraint on the radio signal from dark matter annihilation in dwarf spheroidal galaxies using the TGSS

ABSTRACT Weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) are considered to be one of the favoured dark matter candidates. Searching for any detectable signal due to the annihilation and decay of WIMPs over the entire electromagnetic spectrum has become a matter of interest for the last few decades. WIMP annihilation to Standard Model particles gives rise to a possibility of detection of this signal at low radio frequencies via synchrotron radiation. Dwarf spheroidal (dSphs) galaxies are expected to contain a huge amount of dark matter which makes them promising targets to search for such large scale diffuse radio emission. In this work, we present a stacking analysis of 23 dSph galaxies observed at low frequency (147.5 MHz) as part of the TIFR-GMRT Sky Survey (TGSS). The non-detection of any signal from these stacking exercises put very tight constraints on the dark matter parameters. The best limit comes from the novel method of stacking after scaling the radio images of the individual dSph galaxy fields after scaling them by the respective half-light radius. The constraint on the thermally averaged cross-section is below the thermal relic cross-section value over a range of WIMP mass for reasonable choices of relevant astrophysical parameters. Such analysis, using future deeper observation of individual targets as well as stacking, can potentially reveal more about the WIMP dark matter properties.

Detailed chemical evolution models of the Tucana dSph galaxy

ABSTRACT We use semi-analytical methods to obtain detailed chemical evolution models (CEMs) for the dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxy Tucana. Published star formation rates and the age–metallicity relationship are used to constrain the observables. The results show that Tucana: (i) behaved like a closed box for 75 per cent of its life, (ii) had either a primordial-gas accretion or a metal-rich wind during 15 per cent of its life (between 0.5 and 2.0 Gyr), and (iii) lost 95 per cent of its gas through a well-mixed wind at t ∼ 4.5 Gyr. Specifically, we find two CEMs: the metal-dilution model and the metal-loss model, which differ mainly during the range 0.5–2.0 Gyr. In order to discriminate between these CEMs, we compare the predicted [Xi/Fe]–[Fe/H] trends, which differ less than the average error of the observed trends for other dSphs of the Local Group. Furthermore, the models predict very different metallicity distribution functions. Therefore, an observational metallicity distribution function for Tucana is essential in order to discriminate between the metal-dilution and the metal-loss scenarios. In addition, because the difference of [Xi/Fe] between the two models is less than the average of the errors observed for others dSph and ultra-faint dwarf galaxies of the Local Group, greater precision is required in future observations, so that the errors are less than the difference between the models, thus enabling discrimination between them.

Dissecting the stellar content of Leo I: a dwarf irregular caught in transition

ABSTRACT Leo I is considered one of the youngest dwarf spheroidals (dSph) in the Local Group. Its isolation, extended star formation history (SFH), and recent perigalacticon passage (∼1 Gyr ago) make Leo I one of the most interesting nearby stellar systems. Here, we analyse deep photometric Hubble Space Telescope data via colour–magnitude diagram fitting techniques to study its global and radially resolved SFH. We find global star formation enhancements in Leo I ∼13, 5.5, 2.0, and 1.0 Gyr ago, after which it was substantially quenched. Within the context of previous works focused on Leo I, we interpret the most ancient and the youngest ones as being linked to an early formation (surviving reionization) and the latest perigalacticon passage (transition from dIrr to dSph), respectively. We clearly identify the presence of very metal poor stars ([Fe/H] ∼ −2) ageing ∼5–6 and ∼13 Gyr old. We speculate with the possibility that this metal-poor population in Leo I is related to the merging with a low-mass system (possibly an ultra-faint dwarf). This event would have triggered star formation (peak of star formation ∼5.5 Gyr ago) and accumulated old, metal-poor stars from the accreted system in Leo I. Some of the stars born during this event would also form from accreted gas of low-metallicity (giving rise to the 5–6 Gyr low-metallicity tail). Given the intensity and extension of the 2.0 Gyr burst, we hypothesize that this enhancement could also have an external origin. Despite the quenching of star formation around 1 Gyr ago (most probably induced by ram pressure stripping with the Milky Way halo at pericentre), we report the existence of stars as young as 300–500 Myr. We also distinguish two clear spatial regions: the inner ∼190 pc presents a homogeneous stellar content (size of the gaseous star forming disc in Leo I from ∼4.5 to 1 Gyr ago), whereas the outer regions display a clear positive age gradient.

Addressing γ-ray emissions from dark matter annihilations in 45 Milky Way satellite galaxies and in extragalactic sources with particle dark matter models

ABSTRACT The mass-to-luminosity ratio of the dwarf satellite galaxies in the Milky Way suggests that these dwarf galaxies may contain substantial dark matter. The dark matter at the dense region such as within or at the vicinity of the centres of these dwarf galaxies may undergo the process of self-annihilation and produce γ-rays as the end product. The satellite borne γ-ray telescope such as Fermi-LAT reported the detection of γ-rays from around 45 Dwarf Spheroidals (dSphs) of Milky Way. In this work, we consider particle dark matter models described in the literature and after studying their phenomenologies, we calculate the γ-ray fluxes from the self-annihilation of the dark matter within the framework of these models in case of each of these 45 dSphs. We then compare the computed results with the observational upper bounds for γ-ray flux reported by Fermi-LAT and Dark Energy Survey for each of the 45 dSphs. The fluxes are calculated by adopting different dark matter density profiles. We then extend similar analysis for the observational upper bounds given by Fermi-LAT for the continuum γ-ray fluxes originating from extragalactic sources.

Diversity of Dark Matter Density Profiles in the Galactic Dwarf Spheroidal Satellites

Abstract The core–cusp problem is one of the controversial issues in the standard paradigm of Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) theory. However, under the assumption of conventional spherical symmetry, the strong degeneracy among model parameters makes it unclear whether dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxies indeed have cored dark matter density profiles at their centers. In this work, we revisit this problem using nonspherical mass models, which have the advantage of being able to alleviate the degeneracy. Applying our mass models to the currently available kinematic data of the eight classical dSphs, we find that within finite uncertainties, most of these dSphs favor cusped central profiles rather than cored ones. In particular, Draco has a cusped dark matter halo with high probability even considering a prior bias. We also find the diversity of the inner slopes in their dark matter halos. To clarify the origin of this diversity, we investigate the relation between the inner dark matter density slope and stellar-to-halo mass ratio for the sample dSphs and find that this relation is generally in agreement with the predictions from recent ΛCDM and hydrodynamical simulations. We also find that the simulated subhalos have an anticorrelation between the dark matter density at 150 pc and pericenter distance, which is consistent with the observed one. We estimate their astrophysical factors for dark matter indirect searches and circular velocity profiles associated with huge uncertainties. To more precisely estimate their dark matter profiles, wide-field spectroscopic surveys for the dSphs are essential.

Joint gas and stellar dynamical models of WLM: an isolated dwarf galaxy within a cored, prolate DM halo

ABSTRACT We present multitracer dynamical models of the low-mass (M* ∼ 107), isolated dwarf irregular galaxy WLM in order to simultaneously constrain the inner slope of the dark matter (DM) halo density profile (γ) and flattening (qDM), and the stellar orbital anisotropy (βz, βr). For the first time, we show how jointly constraining the mass distribution from the H i gas rotation curve and solving the Jeans equations with discrete stellar kinematics lead to a factor of ∼2 reduction in the uncertainties on γ. The mass-anisotropy degeneracy is also partially broken, leading to reductions on uncertainty by ${\sim} 30{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ on Mvir (and ${\sim} 70{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ at the half-light radius) and ${\sim} 25{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ on anisotropy. Our inferred value of γ = 0.3 ± 0.1 is robust to the halo geometry, and in excellent agreement with predictions of stellar feedback-driven DM core creation. The derived prolate geometry of the DM halo with qDM = 2 ± 1 is consistent with Lambda cold dark matter simulations of dwarf galaxy haloes. While self-interacting DM (SIDM) models with σ/mX ∼ 0.6 can reproduce this cored DM profile, the interaction events may sphericalize the halo. The simultaneously cored and prolate DM halo may therefore present a challenge for SIDM. Finally, we find that the radial profile of stellar anisotropy in WLM (βr) follows a nearly identical trend of increasing tangential anisotropy to the classical dwarf spheroidals, Fornax and Sculptor. Given WLM’s orbital history, this result may call into question whether such anisotropy is a consequence of tidal stripping in only one pericentric passage or if it instead is a feature of the largely self-similar formation and evolutionary pathways for some dwarf galaxies.

Globular Clusters Lost by the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy

In this work a search was carried out for globular clusters belonging to the Sagittarius (Sgr) tidal stream using the analysis of spatial positions, radial velocities relative to the Galactic Standard of Rest (V_{GSR}),proper motions and ratio of "age -- metallicity" ([Fe/H]) for globular clusters and for stars in the tidal stream. As a result, three categories of globular clusters were obtained: A -- most certainly in the stream: Terzan 8, Whiting 1, Arp 2, NGC 6715, Terzan 7, Pal 12; B -- kinematic outliers: Pal 5, NGC 5904, NGC 5024, NGC 5053, NGC 5272, NGC 288; C -- lowest rank candidates: NGC 6864, NGC 5466, NGC 5897, NGC 7492, NGC 4147.

Elemental Abundances in M31: Properties of the Inner Stellar Halo*

Abstract We present measurements of [Fe/H] and [α/Fe] for 128 individual red giant branch stars (RGB) in the stellar halo of M31, including its Giant Stellar Stream (GSS), obtained using spectral synthesis of low- and medium-resolution Keck/DEIMOS spectroscopy ( and 6000, respectively). We observed four fields in M31's stellar halo (at projected radii of 9, 18, 23, and 31 kpc), as well as two fields in the GSS (at 33 kpc). In combination with existing literature measurements, we have increased the sample size of [Fe/H] and [α/Fe] measurements from 101 to a total of 229 individual M31 RGB stars. From this sample, we investigate the chemical abundance properties of M31's inner halo, finding and . Between 8 and 34 kpc, the inner halo has a steep [Fe/H] gradient (−0.025 ± 0.002 dex kpc−1) and negligible [α/Fe] gradient, where substructure in the inner halo is systematically more metal-rich than the smooth component of the halo at a given projected distance. Although the chemical abundances of the inner stellar halo are largely inconsistent with that of present-day dwarf spheroidal (dSph) satellite galaxies of M31, we identified 22 RGB stars kinematically associated with the smooth component of the stellar halo that have chemical abundance patterns similar to M31 dSphs. We discuss formation scenarios for M31's halo, concluding that these dSph-like stars may have been accreted from galaxies of similar stellar mass and star formation history, or of higher stellar mass and similar star formation efficiency.

A fresh look at the RR Lyrae population in the Draco dwarf spheroidal galaxy with Gaia

ABSTRACT We present a catalogue of 285 RR Lyrae stars (RRLs) in the Draco dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxy, obtained by combining data from a number of different surveys including the Data Release 2 (DR2) of the European Space Agency cornerstone mission Gaia. We have determined individual distances to the RRLs in our sample using for the first time a Gaia G-band luminosity–metallicity relation ($M_{G}\small{--}{\rm [Fe/H]}$) and study the structure of the Draco dSph as traced by its RRL population. We find that the RRLs located in the western/south-western region of Draco appear to be closer to us, which may be a clue of interaction between Draco and the Milky Way. The average distance modulus of Draco measured with the RRLs is $\mu =19.53\pm 0.07$ mag, corresponding to a distance of $80.5\pm 2.6$ kpc, in good agreement with previous determinations in the literature. Based on the pulsation properties of the RRLs, we confirm the Oosterhoff-intermediate nature of Draco. We present an additional sample of 41 candidate RRLs in Draco, which we selected from the Gaia DR2 catalogue based on the uncertainty of their G-band magnitudes. Additional epoch data that will become available in the Gaia Data Release 3 will help to confirm whether these candidates are bona fide Draco RRLs.

Testing ΛCDM with Dwarf Galaxy Morphology

Abstract The leading tensions to the collisionless cold dark matter (CDM) paradigm are the “small-scale controversies,” discrepancies between observations at the dwarf-galactic scale, and their simulational counterparts. In this work we consider methods to infer 3D morphological information on Local Group dwarf spheroidals and test the fitness of CDM+hydrodynamics simulations to the observed galaxy shapes. We find that the subpopulation of dwarf galaxies with mass-to-light ratio reflects an oblate morphology. This is discrepant with the dwarf galaxies with mass-to-light ratios , which reflect prolate morphologies, as well as simulations of CDM-sourced bright isolated galaxies that are explicitly prolate. Although more simulations and data are called for if evidence of oblate pressure-supported stellar distributions persists in observed galaxies while being absent from simulations, we argue that an underlying oblate non-CDM dark matter halo may be required and present this as motivation for future studies.

Neutron-capture elements in dwarf galaxies

Context. We present a large homogeneous set of stellar parameters and abundances across a broad range of metallicities, involving 13 classical dwarf spheroidal (dSph) and ultra-faint dSph (UFD) galaxies. In total, this study includes 380 stars in Fornax, Sagittarius, Sculptor, Sextans, Carina, Ursa Minor, Draco, Reticulum II, Bootes I, Ursa Major II, Leo I, Segue I, and Triangulum II. This sample represents the largest, homogeneous, high-resolution study of dSph galaxies to date. Aims. With our homogeneously derived catalog, we are able to search for similar and deviating trends across different galaxies. We investigate the mass dependence of the individual systems on the production of α-elements, but also try to shed light on the long-standing puzzle of the dominant production site of r-process elements. Methods. We used data from the Keck observatory archive and the ESO reduced archive to reanalyze stars from these 13 classical dSph and UFD galaxies. We automatized the step of obtaining stellar parameters, but ran a full spectrum synthesis (1D, local thermal equilibrium) to derive all abundances except for iron to which we applied nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium corrections where possible. Results. The homogenized set of abundances yielded the unique possibility of deriving a relation between the onset of type Ia supernovae and the stellar mass of the galaxy. Furthermore, we derived a formula to estimate the evolution of α-elements. This reveals a universal relation of these systems across a large range in mass. Finally, we show that between stellar masses of 2.1 × 107 M⊙ and 2.9 × 105 M⊙, there is no dependence of the production of heavy r-process elements on the stellar mass of the galaxy. Conclusions. Placing all abundances consistently on the same scale is crucial to answering questions about the chemical history of galaxies. By homogeneously analyzing Ba and Eu in the 13 systems, we have traced the onset of the s-process and found it to increase with metallicity as a function of the galaxy’s stellar mass. Moreover, the r-process material correlates with the α-elements indicating some coproduction of these, which in turn would point toward rare core-collapse supernovae rather than binary neutron star mergers as a host for the r-process at low [Fe/H] in the investigated dSph systems.

Distribution of phantom dark matter in dwarf spheroidals

We derive the distribution of the phantom dark matter in the eight classical dwarf galaxies surrounding the Milky Way, under the assumption that modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND) is the correct theory of gravity. According to their observed shape, we model the dwarfs as axisymmetric systems, rather than spherical systems, as usually assumed. In addition, as required by the assumption of the MOND framework, we realistically include the external gravitational field of the Milky Way and of the large-scale structure beyond the Local Group. For the dwarfs where the external field dominates over the internal gravitational field, the phantom dark matter has, from the star distribution, an offset of ∼0.1−0.2 kpc, depending on the mass-to-light ratio adopted. This offset is a substantial fraction of the dwarf half-mass radius. For Sculptor and Fornax, where the internal and external gravitational fields are comparable, the phantom dark matter distribution appears disturbed with spikes at the locations where the two fields cancel each other; these features have little connection with the distribution of the stars within the dwarfs. Finally, we find that the external field due to the large-scale structure beyond the Local Group has a very minor effect. The features of the phantom dark matter we find represent a genuine prediction of MOND, and could thus falsify this theory of gravity in the version we adopt here if they are not observationally confirmed.

Intrinsic Morphology of Ultra-diffuse Galaxies

Abstract With the published data of apparent axis ratios for 1109 ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) located in 17 low-redshift (z ∼ 0.020–0.063) galaxy clusters and 84 UDGs in two intermediate-redshift (z ∼ 0.308–0.348) clusters, we take advantage of a Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach and assume a triaxial model to investigate the intrinsic morphologies of UDGs. In contrast to the conclusion of Burkert, i.e., the underlying shapes of UDGs are purely prolate (C = B < A), we find that the data favor the oblate-triaxial models (i.e., thick disks with ) over the nearly prolate ones. We also find that the intrinsic morphologies of UDGs are related to their stellar masses/luminosities, environments, and redshifts. First, the more luminous UDGs have puffier morphologies compared with the less luminous counterparts; the UDG morphologic dependence on luminosity is distinct from that of the typical quiescent dwarf ellipticals (dEs) and dwarf spheroidals (dSphs); in this sense, UDGs may not be simply treated as an extension of the dE/dSph class with similar evolutionary histories; they may differ not only in size. Second, the UDGs with smaller clustercentric distances are more puffed up, compared with the counterparts with larger clustercentric distances; in combination with the UDG thickness dependence on luminosity, the puffier morphologies of UDGs with high luminosities or located in the denser environments are very likely to be attributed to tidal interactions with massive galaxies. Third, we find that the intermediate-redshift UDGs are more flattened, compared with the low-redshift counterparts, which plausibly suggests a “disky” origin for the high-redshift, newly born UDGs.

Is Fornax 4 the nuclear star cluster of the Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy?

ABSTRACT Fornax 4 is the most distinctive globular cluster in the Fornax dwarf spheroidal. Located close to the centre of the galaxy, more metal-rich and potentially younger than its four companions (namely, Fornax clusters number 1, 2, 3, and 5), it has been suggested to have experienced a different formation than the other clusters in the galaxy. Here, we use Hubble Space Telescope/WFC3 photometry to characterize the stellar population content of this system and shed new light on its nature. By means of a detailed comparison of synthetic horizontal branch and red giant branch with the observed colour–magnitude diagrams, we find that this system likely hosts stellar sub-populations characterized by a significant iron spread up to Δ[Fe/H] ∼ 0.4 dex and possibly by also some degree of He abundance variations ΔY ∼ 0.03. We argue that this purely observational evidence, combined with the other peculiarities characterizing this system, supports the possibility that Fornax 4 is the nuclear star cluster of the Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy. A spectroscopic follow-up for a large number of resolved member stars is needed to confirm this interesting result and to study in detail the formation and early evolution of this system and more in general the process of galaxy nucleation.