Low-mass Dwarf Research Articles

Tentative detection of the circumgalactic medium of the isolated low-mass dwarf galaxy WLM

ABSTRACT We report a tentative detection of the circumgalactic medium (CGM) of Wolf–Lundmark–Melotte (WLM), an isolated, low-mass (logM*/M⊙ ≈ 7.6), dwarf irregular galaxy in the Local Group (LG). We analyse an HST/COS archival spectrum of a quasar sightline (PHL2525), which is 45 kpc (0.5 virial radius) from WLM and close to the Magellanic Stream (MS). Along this sightline, two ion absorbers are detected in Si ii, Si iii, Si iv, C ii, and C iv at velocities of ∼−220 km s−1 (Component v-220) and ∼−150 km s−1 (Component v-150). To identify their origins, we study the position–velocity alignment of the components with WLM and the nearby MS. Near the magellanic longitude of PHL2525, the MS-related neutral and ionized gas moves at ≲−190 km s−1, suggesting an MS origin for Component v-220, but not for Component v-150. Because PHL2525 passes near WLM and Component v-150 is close to WLM’s systemic velocity (∼−132 km s−1), it is likely that Component v-150 arises from the galaxy’s CGM. This results in a total Si mass in WLM’s CGM of $M_{\rm Si}^{\rm CGM}\sim (0.2-1.0)\times 10^5~\mathrm{M}_\odot$ using assumption from other COS dwarf studies. Comparing $M_{\rm Si}^{\rm CGM}$ to the total Si mass synthesized in WLM over its lifetime (∼1.3 × 105 M⊙), we find ∼3 per cent is locked in stars, ∼6 per cent in the ISM, ∼15–77 per cent in the CGM, and the rest (∼14–76 per cent) is likely lost beyond the virial radius. Our finding resonates with other COS dwarf galaxy studies and theoretical predictions that low-mass galaxies can easily lose metals into their CGM due to stellar feedback and shallow gravitational potential.

A large faint companion to the Milky Way

Galaxies The Milky Way is orbited by numerous low-mass dwarf galaxies, which are mostly small and faint. Torrealba et al. have discovered a nearby dwarf galaxy, Antlia 2, which is faint but very large. Combining astrometric, photometric, and spectroscopic data, they determine the distance, mass, and brightness of the galaxy. Because its starlight is spread over a large region, Antlia 2 has the faintest surface brightness of any known galaxy, more than 100 times lower than previously discovered ultra-diffuse galaxies. Its peculiar properties may result from tidal interactions with the Milky Way, implying that Antlia 2 was once even larger. Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 488 , 2743 (2019).

Revealing the Complicated Story of the Cetus Stream with StarGO

Abstract We use a novel cluster identification tool, StarGO, to explore the metal-poor ([Fe/H] < −1.5) outer stellar halo (d > 15 kpc) of the Milky Way using data from Gaia, LAMOST, and SDSS. Our method is built using an unsupervised learning algorithm, a self-organizing map, which trains a 2D neural network to learn the topological structures of a data set from an n-D input space. Using a 4D space of angular momentum and orbital energy, we identify three distinct groups corresponding to the Sagittarius, Orphan, and Cetus Streams. For the first time we are able to discover a northern counterpart to the Cetus Stream (CS). We test the robustness of this new detection using mock data and find that the significance is more than 5σ. We also find that the existing southern counterpart bifurcates into two clumps with different radial velocities. By exploiting the visualization power of StarGO, we attach MW globular clusters (GCs) to the same trained neural network. The Sagittarius stream is found to have five related clusters, confirming recent literature studies, and the CS has one associated cluster, NGC 5824. This latter association has previously been postulated, but can only now be truly confirmed thanks to the high-precision Gaia proper motions and large numbers of stellar spectra from LAMOST. The large metallicity dispersion of the stream indicates that the progenitor cannot be a GC. Given the mean metallicity of the stream, we propose that the stream is the result of a merger of a low-mass dwarf galaxy that is associated with a massive GC (NGC 5824).

Primeval very low-mass stars and brown dwarfs – VII. The discovery of the first wide M + L extreme subdwarf binary

ABSTRACTI present the discovery of the first wide M + L extreme subdwarf binary system Gaia J0452−36AB. The binary is located at a distance of 137.27 $^{+0.68}_{-0.67}$ pc with a projected separation of 15828 ± 78 au. I classified Gaia J0452−36AB as esdM1 and esdL0 subdwarfs, respectively. Gaia J0452−36AB have typical halo kinematics, metallicity of [Fe/H] ≈−1.4, and temperature of ∼ 3550 and 2600 K, respectively. Gaia J0452−36AB is a pair of very low-mass stars with masses of 0.151 $^{+0.029}_{-0.019}$ and 0.0855$^{+0.0014}_{-0.0010}$ M$\odot$, and is a gravitationally bound system. I tested the metallicity consistency of existing M subdwarf classification schemes with Gaia J0452−36AB and a sample of M and L subdwarfs with known metallicity. I found that the metallicity of each M subclass defined by the the metallicity index ζCaH/TiO is not consistent from mid-to-late M subtypes. Because late-type M and L subdwarfs have dusty atmospheres and high surface gravity which have significant impacts on CaH and TiO indices that used in the classification. The metallicity scale of late-type M subdwarfs would be overestimated by the ζCaH/TiO index. I discussed the mass range of M subdwarfs, and explained the lack of late-type M extreme and ultra subdwarfs, and decreasing binary fraction from sdM, to esdM, and usdM subclasses. The four M subclasses have different mass ranges. The comparison between M subclasses is between populations in different mass ranges. I also present the discovery of Ruiz 440-469B, an M8 dwarf wide companion to a cool DA white dwarf, Ruiz 440-469.

The Formation of Low-metallicity Globular Clusters in Dwarf Galaxy Mergers

We present a hydro-dynamical simulation at sub-parsec and few solar mass resolution of a merger between two gas-rich dwarf galaxies. Our simulation includes a detailed model for the multi-phase interstellar medium (ISM) and is able to follow the entire formation history of spatially resolved star clusters, including feedback from individual massive stars. Shortly after the merger we find a population of $\sim 900$ stellar clusters with masses above $10^{2.5}\; \rm{M_\odot}$ and a cluster mass function (CMF), which is well fitted with a power-law with a slope of $\alpha=-1.70\pm0.08$. We describe here in detail the formation of the three most massive clusters (M$_{*} \gtrsim 10^5$ M$_\odot$), which populate the high-mass end of the CMF. The simulated clusters form rapidly on a timescale of $6$-$8$ Myr in converging flows of dense gas. The embedded merger phase has extremely high star formation rate surface densities of $\Sigma_\mathrm{SFR}>10\; \mathrm{M}_\odot\; \mathrm{yr}^{-1}\; \mathrm{kpc}^{-2}$ and thermal gas pressures in excess of $P_{\rm th}\sim10^7 \; \mathrm{k}_{\rm B}\;(\rm K\;\mathrm{cm}^{-3})^{-1}$. The formation process is terminated by rapid gas expulsion driven by the first generation of supernovae, after which the cluster centers relax and both their structure and kinematics become indistinguishable from observed local globular clusters. The simulation presented here provides a general model for the formation of metal-poor globular clusters in chemically unevolved starbursting environments of low-mass dwarf galaxies, which are common at high redshifts.

Supermassive black hole demographics: evading M − σ

We consider black hole - galaxy coevolution using simple analytic arguments. We focus on the fact that several supermassive black holes are known with masses significantly larger than suggested by the $M - {\sigma}$ relation, sometimes also with rather small stellar masses. We show that these are likely to have descended from extremely compact `blue nugget' galaxies born at high redshift, whose very high velocity dispersions allowed the black holes to reach unusually large masses. Subsequent interactions reduce the velocity dispersion, so the black holes lie above the usual $M - {\sigma}$ relation and expel a large fraction of the bulge gas (as in WISE J104222.11+164115.3) that would otherwise make stars, before ending at low redshift as very massive holes in galaxies with relatively low stellar masses, such as NGC 4889 and NGC 1600. We further suggest the possible existence of two new types of galaxy: low-mass dwarfs whose central black holes lie below the $M - {\sigma}$ relation at low redshift, and galaxies consisting of very massive ($\gtrsim 10^{11}$M$_{\odot}$) black holes with extremely small stellar masses. This second group would be very difficult to detect electromagnetically, but potentially offer targets of considerable interest for LISA.

HD 99458: First time ever Ap-type star as a δ Scuti pulsator in a short period eclipsing binary?

We present the discovery of a unique object, a chemically peculiar Ap-type star showing $\delta$ Scuti pulsations which is bound in an eclipsing binary system with an orbital period shorter than 3 days. HD 99458 is, therefore, a complex astrophysical laboratory opening doors for studying various, often contradictory, physical phenomena at the same time. It is the first Ap star ever discovered in an eclipsing binary. The orbital period of 2.722 days is the second shortest among all known chemically peculiar (CP2) binary stars. Pulsations of $\delta$ Scuti type are also extremely rare among CP2 stars and no unambiguously proven candidate has been reported. HD 99458 was formerly thought to be a star hosting an exoplanet, but we definitely reject this hypothesis by using photometric observations from the K2 mission and new radial velocity measurements. The companion is a low-mass red dwarf star ($M_{2}=0.45(2)$ M$_{\odot}$) on an inclined orbit ($i=73.2(6)$ degrees) that shows only grazing eclipses. The rotation and orbital periods are synchronized, while the rotation and orbital axes are misaligned. HD 99458 is an interesting system deserving of more intense investigations.

Effects of coplanar satellite bands on galactic disc evolution

ABSTRACT Small dwarf companions have been long thought to have minimal influence on their host galaxy’s evolution without undergoing direct impacts to the host’s disc. However, in light of recent discoveries of coplanar, corotating satellite structures around the Milky Way, Andromeda, and Centaurus A, we use an N-body/test particle simulation to show that low-mass dwarf satellites within such structures are able to exert significant influence on their host’s disc, driving spiral waves and inducing stellar scattering. This is accomplished through quasi-periodic alignments of multiple small satellites within the structure that emulate the gravitational influence of a single, larger satellite such as Sagittarius Dwarf or the Large Magellanic Cloud. We find that the coplanar, corotational nature of such structures allows for repeated alignments on short enough time-scales to overcome damping within the disc, and in a consistent enough fashion to continually drive spiral waves over the course of 2 Gyr of simulation time. The spirals driven by this phenomenon tend to be flocculent and many armed due to the irregular intervals over which alignments occur. We additionally find that while the aligned satellites are able to induce noticeable thickening of the disc, their ability to drive surface density profile evolution is secondary to other effects.

Lithium enrichment in the Galaxy: A study using the GALAH and Gaia surveys

AbstractHere, we explore the enrichment of Lithium in the Galaxy using a large sample of stars common among large spectroscopic surveys such as the GALAH and astrometric survey by the Gaia satellite. For this study we used about 60,000 low mass (M⩽ 2M⊙) dwarfs from the GALAH survey. Further, we discuss Li enrichment among giant stars based on a sample of 52,000 low mass giants, of which 335 are Li-rich with A(Li) ⩾ 1.80 ± 0.14 dex, culled from the GALAH survey. These low mass giants appears to be one of the promising source of Li enrichment in the Galaxy as their atmospheric Li can be added to the ISM through mass loss.

The B-Star Exoplanet Abundance Study: a co-moving 16–25 MJup companion to the young binary system HIP 79098

Wide low-mass substellar companions are known to be very rare among low-mass stars, but appear to become increasingly common with increasing stellar mass. However, B-type stars, which are the most massive stars within ~150 pc of the Sun, have not yet been examined to the same extent as AFGKM-type stars in that regard. In order to address this issue, we launched the ongoing B-star Exoplanet Abundance Study (BEAST) to examine the frequency and properties of planets, brown dwarfs, and disks around B-type stars in the Scorpius-Centaurus (Sco-Cen) association; we also analyzed archival data of B-type stars in Sco-Cen. During this process, we identified a candidate substellar companion to the B9-type spectroscopic binary HIP 79098 AB, which we refer to as HIP 79098 (AB)b. The candidate had been previously reported in the literature, but was classified as a background contaminant on the basis of its peculiar colors. Here we demonstrate that the colors of HIP 79098 (AB)b are consistent with several recently discovered young and low-mass brown dwarfs, including other companions to stars in Sco-Cen. Furthermore, we show unambiguous common proper motion over a 15-yr baseline, robustly identifying HIP 79098 (AB)b as a bona fide substellar circumbinary companion at a 345 ± 6 AU projected separation to the B9-type stellar pair. With a model-dependent mass of 16–25 MJup yielding a mass ratio of <1%, HIP 79098 (AB)b joins a growing number of substellar companions with planet-like mass ratios around massive stars. Our observations underline the importance of common proper motion analysis in the identification of physical companionship, and imply that additional companions could potentially remain hidden in the archives of purely photometric surveys.

Initial Mass Function Variation in Two Elliptical Galaxies Using Near-infrared Tracers

Abstract Using integral field spectroscopy, we demonstrate that gravity-sensitive absorption features in the zJ band (0.9–1.35 μm) can constrain the low-mass stellar initial mass function (IMF) in the cores of two elliptical galaxies, M85 and M87. Compared to the visible bands, the near-infrared (NIR) is more sensitive to light from low-mass dwarf stars, whose relative importance is the primary subject of the debate over IMF variations in nearby galaxies. Our analysis compares the observed spectra to the latest stellar population synthesis models by employing two different methods: equivalent widths and spectral fitting. We find that the IMF slopes in M85 are similar to the canonical Milky Way IMF with a median IMF-mismatch parameter α K = 1.26. In contrast, we find that the IMF in M87 is steeper than a Salpeter IMF with α K = 2.77. The derived stellar population parameters, including the IMF slopes, are consistent with those from recent results in the visible bands based on spectroscopic and kinematic techniques. Certain elemental abundances, e.g., Na and Fe, have dramatic effects on the IMF-sensitive features and therefore the derived IMF slopes. We show evidence for a high [Na/H] ∼ 0.65 dex in the core of M85 from two independent Na i absorption features. The high Na abundance may be the result of a recent galactic merger involving M85. This suggests that including [Na/H] in the stellar population model parameters is critical for constraining the IMF slopes in M85. These results confirm the viability of using NIR absorption features to investigate IMF variation in nearby galaxies.

Dwarf Galaxies in the Local Volume

We review observational data about a sample of Local Volume objects containing about 1000 galaxies within 11 Mpc of the Milky Way. Dwarf galaxies with stellar masses $M_*/M_{\odot} < 9$ dex make up 5/6 of the sample. Almost 40% of them have their distances measured with high precision using the Hubble Space Telescope. Currently, the LV is the most representative and least selection-affected sample of dwarf galaxies suitable for testing the standard $\Lambda$CDM paradigm at the shortest cosmological scales. We discuss the H II properties of dwarf galaxies in different environments and the star formation rates in these systems as determined from $FUV$ - and H$\alpha$-survey data. We also pay certain attention to the baryonic Tully-Fisher relation for low-mass dwarf galaxies. We also point out that LV dwarfs are important `tracers' for determining the total masses of nearby groups and the nearest Virgo cluster.

Primeval very low-mass stars and brown dwarfs – VI. Population properties of metal-poor degenerate brown dwarfs

ABSTRACT We presented 15 new T dwarfs that were selected from UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey, Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy , and Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer surveys, and confirmed with optical to near-infrared spectra obtained with the Very Large Telescope and the Gran Telescopio Canarias. One of these new T dwarfs is mildly metal-poor with slightly suppressed K-band flux. We presented a new X-shooter spectrum of a known benchmark sdT5.5 subdwarf, HIP 73786B. To better understand observational properties of brown dwarfs, we discussed transition zones (mass ranges) with low-rate hydrogen, lithium, and deuterium burning in brown dwarf population. The hydrogen burning transition zone is also the substellar transition zone that separates very low-mass stars, transitional, and degenerate brown dwarfs. Transitional brown dwarfs have been discussed in previous works of the Primeval series. Degenerate brown dwarfs without hydrogen fusion are the majority of brown dwarfs. Metal-poor degenerate brown dwarfs of the Galactic thick disc and halo have become T5+ subdwarfs. We selected 41 T5+ subdwarfs from the literature by their suppressed K-band flux. We studied the spectral-type–colour correlations, spectral-type–absolute magnitude correlations, colour–colour plots, and HR diagrams of T5+ subdwarfs, in comparison to these of L–T dwarfs and L subdwarfs. We discussed the T5+ subdwarf discovery capability of deep sky surveys in the 2020s.

Primeval very low-mass stars and brown dwarfs – V. A halo L3 subdwarf with prograde eccentric orbit in the Galactic plane

VVV J12564163$-$6202039 is an L subdwarf located in the Galactic plane ($b$ = 0.831 deg) discovered by its high proper motion (1.1 arcsec yr/s). We obtained an optical to near-infrared spectrum of it with the X-shooter on the Very Large Telescope, and re-classified it as an sdL3 subdwarf. Its best-fitting BT-Dusty model spectrum has $T_{\rm eff}$ = 2220 K, [Fe/H] = $-0.9$, and log $g$ = 5.5. It is just below the stellar/substellar boundary in the $T_{\rm eff}$ versus [Fe/H] parameter space. This object is at a distance of 66.94$^{+8.49}_{-6.77}$ pc according to the $Gaia$ astrometry. It has a halo membership probability of 99.82 per cent according to its Galactic kinematics. It has unusually flat (|$Z$| < 500 pc) and extremely eccentric (e = 0.9) prograde orbit that takes the source from as close as 1.2 kpc from the Galactic centre to 24 kpc out. VVV J12564163$-$6202039 joined by SDSS J133348.24+273508.8 and ULAS J021258.08+064115.9 are the only three known objects in the sdL subclass that have halo kinematics.

Stellar and substellar companions of nearby stars from Gaia DR2

Context. The census of stellar and substellar companions of nearby stars is largely incomplete, in particular toward the low-mass brown dwarf and long-period exoplanets. It is, however, fundamentally important in the understanding of the stellar and planetary formation and evolution mechanisms. Nearby stars are particularly favorable targets for high precision astrometry. Aims. We aim to characterize the presence of physical companions of stellar and substellar mass in orbit around nearby stars. Methods. Orbiting secondary bodies influence the proper motion of their parent star through their gravitational reflex motion. Using the HIPPARCOS and Gaia’s second data release (GDR2) catalogs, we determined the long-term proper motion of the stars common to these two catalogs. We then searched for a proper motion anomaly (PMa) between the long-term proper motion vector and the GDR2 (or HIPPARCOS) measurements, indicative of the presence of a perturbing secondary object. We focussed our analysis on the 6741 nearby stars located within 50 pc, and we also present a catalog of the PMa for ≳99% of the HIPPARCOS catalog (≈117 000 stars). Results. 30% of the stars studied present a PMa greater than 3σ. The PMa allows us to detect orbiting companions, or set stringent limits on their presence. We present a few illustrations of the PMa analysis to interesting targets. We set upper limits of 0.1−0.3 MJ to potential planets orbiting Proxima between 1 and 10 au (Porb = 3 to 100 years). We confirm that Proxima is gravitationally bound to α Cen. We recover the masses of the known companions of ϵ Eri, ϵ Ind, Ross 614 and β Pic. We also detect the signature of a possible planet of a few Jovian masses orbiting τ Ceti. Conclusions. Based on only 22 months of data, the GDR2 has limitations. But its combination with the HIPPARCOS catalog results in very high accuracy PMa vectors, that already enable us to set valuable constraints on the binarity of nearby objects. The detection of tangential velocity anomalies at a median accuracy of σ(ΔvT) = 1.0 m s−1 per parsec of distance is already possible with the GDR2. This type of analysis opens the possibility to identify long period orbital companions otherwise inaccessible. For long orbital periods, Gaia’s complementarity to radial velocity and transit techniques (that are more sensitive to short orbital periods) already appears to be remarkably powerful.

A discontinuity in theTeff–radius relation of M-dwarfs

We report on 13 new high-precision measurements of stellar diameters for low-mass dwarfs obtained by means of near-infrared long-baseline interferometry with PIONIER at the Very Large Telescope Interferometer. Together with accurate parallaxes from Gaia DR2, these measurements provide precise estimates for their linear radii, effective temperatures, masses, and luminosities. This allows us to refine the effective temperature scale, in particular towards the coolest M-dwarfs. We measure for late-type stars with enhanced metallicity slightly inflated radii, whereas for stars with decreased metallicity we measure smaller radii. We further show that Gaia DR2 effective temperatures for M-dwarfs are underestimated by $\sim$ 8.2 % and give an empirical $M_{G}$-$T_{\rm eff}$ relation which is better suited for M-dwarfs with $T_{\rm eff}$ between 2600 and 4000 K. Most importantly, we are able to observationally identify a discontinuity in the $T_{\rm eff}$-radius plane, which is likely due to the transition from partially convective M-dwarfs to the fully convective regime. We found this transition to happen between 3200 K and 3340 K, or equivalently for stars with masses $\approx 0.23 M_{\odot}$. We find that in this transition region the stellar radii are in the range from 0.18 to 0.42$R_{\odot}$ for similar stellar effective temperatures.

A search for fast photometric variability in very low mass stars and brown dwarfs

We present here I-band time-series photometric studies of a few very low-mass stars (VLMs) and brown dwarfs (BDs) in the young (age of 2-3 Myr) IC348 star-forming region in the Perseus Molecular Cloud. Our main aim is to explore the fast rotating (of time scale of a few hours) BDs and VLMs in the I-band. From our preliminary results, we find significant variability in the young M5 dwarf 2MASS J03443896+3203196 with a rotation period of 16.037 hours.

Radiation-hydrodynamic Simulations of Spherical Protostellar Collapse for Very Low-mass Objects

Abstract We perform radiation-hydrodynamical simulations of protostellar collapse in spherical symmetry, with a special focus on very low-mass objects, i.e., brown dwarfs and sub-brown dwarfs. The inclusion of a realistic equation of state, which includes the effect of hydrogen dissociation, allows for a modeling of the complete process from the beginning of the collapse until the formation of the protostar. We solve the frequency-dependent radiative transfer equation without any diffusion approximation, using realistic dust and gas opacities. Our results show that the properties of the protostar are essentially independent of the initial conditions, which had previously only been confirmed for higher mass ranges. For very low-mass initial conditions, however, we find that the first core phase of the collapse shows some significant differences in the time evolution, with the first core lifetime increasing dramatically because of the reduced accretion rate from the surrounding envelope. We consider the observational implications of this. We also investigate the opposite case of a collapse without any first core phase, which may occur for very unstable initial conditions. In the Appendix, we describe a severe numerical problem that causes an unphysical expansion after the formation of the protostar, which may affect other attempts at similar calculations of self-gravitational collapse. We explain the origin of the unphysical behavior and present a solution that can be used in similar investigations.

Exploring the substellar population in the Hyades open cluster

Aims. Our aim is to identify substellar members of the nearby Hyades open star cluster to determine the photometric and spectroscopic properties of brown dwarfs at moderately old ages and extend our knowledge of the substellar mass function of the cluster. Methods. We cross-matched the 2MASS and WISE public catalogues and measured proper motions to identify low-mass stars and brown dwarf member candidates in an area of a radius of ten degrees around the central region of the Hyades cluster. We employed astrometric and photometric criteria, Gaia data, and a maximum likelihood method developed by our group to estimate distances. We selected 36 objects that are candidate Hyades members, 21 of which have not been reported previously. Results. We have identified 21 new Hyades member candidates that are placed at the lower end of the main sequence. The photometry of 9 candidates places them in the substellar regime, and 2 are at the L/T transition. We also recovered a number of L dwarfs from earlier surveys. Finally, we calculated the mass function for the low-mass population of the cluster and found that the Hyades cluster might have lost 60%–80% of its substellar members.

From globular clusters to the disc: the dual life of our Galaxy

The halo and disc globular cluster population can be used as a tracer of the primordial epochs of the Milky Way formation. In this work, literature data of globular clusters ages, chemical abundances, and structural parameters are studied, explicitly focussing on the origin of the known split in the age-metallicity relation (AMR) of globular clusters. When the α-element abundances, which are less strongly affected by the internal light-element spread of globular clusters (Si, Ca), are considered, a very low observational scatter among metal-poor clusters is observed. A plateau at [SiCa/Fe],∼ 0.35 dex, with a dispersion of only 0.05 dex (including abundance errors) is observed up to a metallicity of about −0.75 dex. Only a few metal-poor clusters in this metallicity interval present low [SiCa/Fe] abundances. Moreover, metal-rich globular clusters show a knee in the [α/Fe] vs. [Fe/H] plane around [Fe/H] ∼ −0.75 dex. As a consequence, if a substantial fraction of galactic globular clusters has an external origin, they have to be mainly formed either in galaxies that are massive enough to ensure high levels of α-element abundances even at intermediate metallicity, or in lower mass dwarf galaxies accreted by the Milky Way in their early phases of formation. Finally, clusters in the metal-poor branch of the AMR present an anti-correlation of [SiCa/Fe] with the total cluster magnitude, while this is not the case for metal-rich branch clusters. In addition, this lack of faint high-α clusters in the young metal-poor population is in contrast with what is observed for old and more metal-poor clusters, possibly reflecting a higher heterogeneity of formation environments at lower metallicity. Accretion of high-mass satellites, as a major contribution to the current Milky Way globular cluster system both in the metal-poor and the metal-intermediate regime is compatible with the observations.