Tidal Dwarf Research Articles

Perseus I and the NGC 3109 association in the context of the Local Group dwarf galaxy structures

The recently discovered dwarf galaxy Perseus I appears to be associated with the dominant plane of non-satellite galaxies in the Local Group (LG). We predict its velocity dispersion and those of the other isolated dSphs Cetus and Tucana to be 6.5, 8.2, and 5.5 km/s, respectively. The NGC 3109 association, including the recently discovered dwarf galaxy Leo P, aligns with the dwarf galaxy structures in the LG such that all known nearby non-satellite galaxies in the northern Galactic hemisphere lie in a common thin plane (rms height 53 kpc; diameter 1.2 Mpc). This plane has an orientation similar to the preferred orbital plane of the Milky Way (MW) satellites in the vast polar structure. Five of seven of these northern galaxies were identified as possible backsplash objects, even though only about one is expected from cosmological simulations. This may pose a problem, or instead the search for local backsplash galaxies might be identifying ancient tidal dwarf galaxies expelled in a past major galaxy encounter. The NGC 3109 association supports the notion that material preferentially falls towards the MW from the Galactic south and recedes towards the north, as if the MW were moving through a stream of dwarf galaxies.

CHOIRS H I GALAXY GROUPS: THE METALLICITY OF DWARF GALAXIES

We present a recalibration of the luminosity-metallicity relation for gas-rich, star-forming dwarfs to magnitudes as faint as M$_R$ ~ -13. We use the Dopita et al. (2013) metallicity calibrations to calibrate the relation for all of the data in this analysis. In metallicity-luminosity space we find two sub-populations within a sample of high-confidence SDSS DR8 star-forming galaxies; 52% are metal-rich giants and 48% are metal-medium galaxies. Metal-rich dwarfs classified as tidal dwarf galaxy (TDG) candidates in the literature are typically of metallicity 12 + log(O/H) = 8.70 $\pm$ 0.05, while SDSS dwarfs fainter than M$_R$ = -16 have a mean metallicity of 12 + log(O/H) = 8.28 $\pm$ 0.10, regardless of their luminosity, indicating that there is an approximate floor to the metallicity of low luminosity galaxies. Our hydrodynamical simulations predict that TDGs should have metallicities elevated above the normal luminosity-metallicity relation. Metallicity can therefore be a useful diagnostic for identifying TDG candidate populations in the absence of tidal tails. At magnitudes brighter than M$_R$ ~ -16 our sample of 53 star-forming galaxies in 9 HI gas-rich groups is consistent with the normal relation defined by the SDSS sample. At fainter magnitudes there is an increase in dispersion in metallicity of our sample, suggestive of a wide range of HI content and environment. In our sample we identify three (16% of dwarfs) strong TDG candidates (12 + log(O/H) > 8.6), and four (21%) very metal poor dwarfs (12 + log(O/H) < 8.0), which are likely gas-rich dwarfs with recently ignited star formation.

Chemo-dynamical evolution of tidal dwarf galaxies. I. Method and IMF dependence

We present high-resolution simulations of tidal dwarf galaxies (TDG) to investigate their early chemo-dynamical evolution and test their survivability. In this work the simulation setup is introduced and the response of TDGs to self-consistent star formation (SF) and an external tidal field is examined. Throughout the simulation star cluster particles with variable masses down to $5\,M_{\odot}$ form, depending on the local gas reservoir. For low cluster masses $M_{\mathrm{cl}}$, the stellar initial mass function (IMF) is considered to be either filled or truncated at a maximal star mass $m_\mathrm{max}$ to represent the observed $m_{\mathrm{max}} - M_{\mathrm{cl}}$ relation (IGIMF theory). The evolution of TDGs with fully-populated and truncated IMFs are compared to study the impact of stellar energy feedback on their survivability. Both TDGs experience an initial starburst but after a dynamical time they evolve into dwarf galaxies with self-regulated and continuous SF. At this stage the truncated-IMF model contains about 6 times more stellar mass than the invariant IMF models, but the final bound gas mass is comparable in both models. In spite of their significantly different SF histories, both TDG models are not disrupted within the first 500 Myr. We conclude that TDGs can survive an early starburst, independent of the underlying IMF description, even though they do not harbor a stabilizing dark matter halo.

CONFIRMATION OF FAINT DWARF GALAXIES IN THE M81 GROUP

We have followed up on the results of a 65 square degree CFHT/MegaCam imaging survey of the nearby M81 Group searching for faint and ultra-faint dwarf galaxies. The original survey turned up 22 faint candidate dwarf members. Based on two-color HST ACS/WFC and WFPC2 photometry, we now confirm 14 of these as dwarf galaxy members of the group. Distances and stellar population characteristics are discussed for each. To a completeness limit of M_r' = -10, we find a galaxy luminosity function slope of -1.27+-0.04 for the M81 group. In this region, there are now 36 M81 group members known, including 4 blue compact dwarfs, 8 other late types including the interacting giants M81, NGC 3077, and M82, 19 early type dwarfs, and at least 5 potential tidal dwarf galaxies. We find that the dSph galaxies in M81 appear to lie in a flattened distribution, similar to that found for the Milky Way and M31. One of the newly discovered dSph galaxies has properties similar to the ultra-faint dwarfs being found in the Local Group with a size R_e ~ 100 pc and total magnitude estimates M_r' = -6.8 and M_I ~ -9.1.

The influence of ram pressure on the evolution of tidal dwarf galaxies

The formation mechanism of tidal dwarf galaxies means they are expected to contain little or no dark matter. As such, they might be expected to be very sensitive to their environment. We investigate the impact of ram pressure on tidal dwarf galaxies in a parameter study, varying dwarf galaxy properties and ram pressures. We submit model tidal dwarf galaxies to wind-tunnel style tests using a toy ram pressure model. The effects of ram pressure are found to be substantial. If tidal dwarf galaxies have their gas stripped, they may be completely destroyed. Ram pressure drag causes acceleration of our dwarf galaxy models, and this further enhances stellar losses. The dragging can also cause stars to lie in a low surface brightness stellar stream that points in the opposite direction to the stripped gas, in a manner distinctive from tidal streams. We investigate the effects of ram pressure on surface density profiles, the dynamics of the stars, and discuss the consequences for dynamical mass measurements.

The rotationally stabilized VPOS and predicted proper motions of the Milky Way satellite galaxies

The satellite galaxies of the Milky Way (MW) define a vast polar structure (VPOS), a thin plane perpendicular to the MW disc. Proper motion (PM) measurements are now available for all of the 11 brightest, ‘classical’ satellites and allow an updated analysis of the alignment of their orbital poles with this spatial structure. The coherent orbital alignment of 7 to 9 out of 11 satellites demonstrates that the VPOS is a rotationally stabilized structure and not only a pressure-supported, flattened ellipsoid. This allows us to empirically and model independently predict the PMs of almost all satellite galaxies by assuming that the MW satellite galaxies orbit within the VPOS. As a test of our method, the predictions are best met by satellites whose PMs are already well constrained, as expected because more uncertain measurements tend to deviate more from the true values. Improved and new PM measurements will further test these predictions. A strong alignment of the satellite galaxy orbital poles is not expected in dark matter based simulations of galaxy formation. Coherent orbital directions of satellite galaxies are, however, a natural consequence of tidal dwarf galaxies formed together in the debris of a galaxy collision. The orbital poles of the MW satellite galaxies therefore lend further support to tidal scenarios for the origin of the VPOS and are a very significant challenge for the standard Λ cold dark matter model of cosmology. We also note that the dependence of the MW satellite speeds on Galactocentric distance appears to map an effective potential with a constant velocity vcirc ≈ 240 km s−1, to about 250 kpc. The individual satellite velocities are only mildly radial.

Thin disk of co-rotating dwarfs: A fingerprint of dissipative (mirror) dark matter?

Recent observations indicate that about half of the dwarf satellite galaxies around M31 orbit in a thin plane approximately aligned with the Milky Way. It has been argued that this observation along with several other features can be explained if these dwarf satellite galaxies originated as tidal dwarf galaxies formed during an ancient merger event. However if dark matter is collisionless then tidal dwarf galaxies should be free of dark matter - a condition that is difficult to reconcile with observations indicating that dwarf satellite galaxies are dark matter dominated. We argue that dissipative dark matter candidates, such as mirror dark matter, offer a simple solution to this puzzle.

Intergalactic magnetic fields in Stephan's Quintet

We present results of the VLA radio continuum total power and polarised intensity observations of Stephan's Quintet at 1.43 and 4.86 GHz along with complementary 4.85 and 8.35 GHz Effelsberg observations. Our study shows a large envelope of radio emission encompassing all the member galaxies and hence a large volume of intergalac- tic matter. Infall of the galaxy NGC 7318B produces a ridge of intergalactic, polarised emission, for which the magnetic field strength was estimated as 11.0 \pm 2.2 {\mu}G, with an ordered component of 2.6 \pm 0.8 {\mu}G. The energy density of the field within the ridge area is of the same order as estimates of the thermal component, implying a significant role of the magnetic field in the dynamics of the intergalactic matter. We also report that the tidal dwarf galaxy candidate SQ-B possesses a strong and highly anisotropic magnetic field with the total strength being equal to 6.5 \pm 1.9 {\mu}G and an ordered component reaching 3.5 \pm 1.2 {\mu}G, which is comparable to that found in normal-sized galaxies.

SDSS J002531.46–104022.2 at z = 0.30: a candidate for the (ultra)luminous infrared galaxy to optical quasar transition★

We have characterized the amount, spatial distribution and kinematics of the molecular gas in the merging, double nucleus type 2 quasar SDSS J0025-10 at z=0.30 using the CO(1-0) transition, based on data obtained with ATCA. This is one of the scarce examples of quasar host galaxies where the CO emission has been resolved spatially at any redshift. We infer a molecular gas mass M(H2) = (6 +/- 1) x 1e9 Msun, which is distributed in two main reservoirs separated by ~9 kpc. ~60% of the gas is in the central region, associated with the QSO nucleus and/or the intermediate region between the two nuclei. The other 40% is associated with the northern tidal tail and is therefore unsettled. With its high infrared luminosity L(IR) = (1.1 +/- 0.3) x 1e12 Lsun, SDSS J0025-10 is an analogue of local luminous LIRGs and ULIRGs. On the other hand, the clear evidence for an ongoing major merger of two gas rich progenitors, the high L(IR) dominated by a starburst, the massive reservoir of molecular gas with a large fraction still unsettled, and the quasar activity are all properties consistent with a transition phase in the (U)LIRG-optical QSO evolutionary scenario. We propose that we are observing the system during a particular transient phase, prior to more advanced mergers where the nuclei have already coalesced. We argue that a fraction of the molecular gas reservoir is associated with a tidal dwarf galaxy identified in the optical HST image at the tip of the northern tidal tail. The formation of such structures is predicted by simulations of colliding galaxies.

Galactic rotation curves in conformal gravity

We review some recent work by Mannheim and O'Brien on the systematics of galactic rotation curves in the conformal gravity theory. In this work the conformal theory was applied to a comprehensive, high quality sample of spiral galaxies whose rotation curves extend well beyond the galactic optical disks. On galactic scales the conformal gravitational theory departs from the standard Newtonian theory in two distinct ways. One is a local way in which local matter sources within galaxies generate not just Newtonian potentials but linear potentials as well. The other is a global way in which two universal global potentials, one linear the other quadratic, are generated by the rest of the matter in the universe. The study involves a broad set of 138 spiral galaxies of differing luminosities and sizes, and is augmented here through the inclusion of an additional three tidal dwarf galaxies. With its linear and quadratic potentials the conformal theory can account for the systematics of an entire 141 galaxy sample without any need for galactic dark matter, doing so with only one free parameter per galaxy, namely the visible galactic mass to light ratio.

Radio continuum observations of the Leo Triplet at 2.64 GHz

Aims. The magnetic fields of the member galaxies NGC 3628 and NGC 3627 show morphological peculiarities, suggesting that interactions within the group may be caused by stripping of the magnetic field. This process could supply the intergalactic space with magnetised material, a scenario considered as a possible source of intergalactic magnetic fields (as seen eg. in the Taffy pairs of galaxies). Additionally, the plumes are likely to be the tidal dwarf galaxy candidates. Methods. We performed radio continuum mapping observations at 2.64 GHz using the 100-m Effelsberg radio telescope. We obtained total power and polarised intensity maps of the Triplet. These maps were analysed together with the archive data, and the magnetic field strength (as well as the magnetic energy density) was estimated. Results. Extended emission was not detected either in the total power or the polarised intensity maps. We obtained upper limits of the magnetic field strength and the energy density of the magnetic field in the Triplet. We detected emission from the easternmost clump and determined the strength of its magnetic field. In addition, we measured integrated fluxes of the member galaxies at 2.64 GHz and estimated their total magnetic field strengths. Conclusions. We found that the tidal tail hosts a tidal dwarf galaxy candidate that possesses a detectable magnetic field with a non-zero ordered component. Extended radio continuum emission, if present, is weaker than the reached confusion limit. The total magnetic field strength does not exceed 2.8 {\mu}G and the ordered component is lower than 1.6 {\mu}G.

Unusual displacement of H i due to tidal interaction in Arp 181

Abstract We present results from Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope H i 21 cm line observations of the interacting galaxy pair Arp 181 (NGC 3212 and NGC 3215) at z = 0.032. We find almost all of the detected H i (90 per cent) is displaced well beyond the optical discs of the pair with the highest density H i located ∼70 kpc west of the pair. An H i bridge extending between the optical pair and the bulk of H i together with their H i deficiencies provide strong evidence that the interaction between the pair has removed most of their H i to the current projected position. H i to the west of the pair has two approximately equal intensity peaks. The H i intensity maximum furthest to the west coincides with a small spiral companion SDSS J102726.32+794911.9 which shows enhanced mid-infrared (Spitzer), ultraviolet (UV; GALEX) and Hα emission indicating intense star-forming activity. The H i intensity maximum close to the Arp 181 pair, coincides with a diffuse optical cloud detected in UV (GALEX) at the end of the stellar and H i tidal tails originating at NGC 3212 and, previously proposed to be a tidal dwarf galaxy in formation. Future sensitive H i surveys by telescopes like Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder should prove to be powerful tools for identifying tidal dwarfs at moderate to large redshifts to explore in detail the evolution of dwarf galaxies in the Universe.

Dwarf elliptical galaxies as ancient tidal dwarf galaxies

The formation of tidal dwarf galaxies (TDGs) is triggered by the encounters of already existing galaxies. Their existence is predicted from numerical calculations of encountering galaxies and is also well documented with observations. The numerical calculations on the formation of TDGs furthermore predict that TDGs cannot contain significant amounts of non-baryonic dark matter. In this paper, the first exhaustive sample of TDG-candidates from observations and numerical calculations is gathered from the literature. These stellar systems are gas-rich at the present, but they will probably evolve into gas-poor objects that are indistinguishable from old dwarf elliptical galaxies (dEs) based on their masses and radii. Indeed, known gas-poor TDGs appear as normal dEs. According to the currently prevailing cosmological paradigm, there should also be a population of primordial galaxies that formed within haloes of dark matter in the same mass range. Due to their different composition and origin, it would be expected that objects belonging to that population would have a different structure than TDGs and would thus be distinguishable from them, but such a population cannot be identified from their masses and radii. Moreover, long-lived TDGs could indeed be numerous enough to account for all dEs in the Universe. Downsizing, i.e. that less massive galaxies tend to be younger, would then be a natural consequence of the nature of the dEs. If these claims can be kept up in the light of future observations, the presently prevailing understanding of galaxy formation would need to be revised.

Pre-existing dwarfs, tidal knots and a tidal dwarf galaxy: an unbiased H istudy of the gas-rich interacting galaxy group NGC 3166/9

We present Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA (ALFALFA) and follow-up Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) H i observations of the gas-rich interacting group NGC 3166/9. The sensitive ALFALFA data provide a complete census of H i-bearing systems in the group while the high-resolution GMRT data elucidate their origin, enabling one of the first unbiased physical studies of gas-rich dwarf companions and the subsequent identification of second-generation, tidal dwarf galaxies in a nearby group. The ALFALFA maps reveal an extended H i envelope around the NGC 3166/9 group core, which we mosaic at higher resolution using six GMRT pointings spanning ∼1 deg2. A thorough search of the GMRT data cube reveals eight low-mass objects with gas masses ranging from 4 × 107 to 3 × 108 M⊙ and total dynamical masses up to 1.4 × 109 M⊙. A comparison of the H i fluxes measured from the GMRT data to those measured in the ALFALFA data suggests that a significant fraction (∼60 per cent) of the H i is smoothly distributed on scales greater than 1 arcmin (∼7 kpc at the NGC 3166/9 distance). We compute stellar masses and star formation rates for the eight low-mass GMRT detections, using ancillary Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) data, and use these values to constrain their origin. Most of the detections are likely to be either pre-existing dwarf irregular galaxies or short-lived, tidally formed knots; however, one candidate, AGC 208457, is clearly associated with a tidal tail extending below NGC 3166, exhibits a dynamical to gas mass ratio close to unity and has a stellar content and star formation rate that are broadly consistent with both simulated as well as candidate tidal dwarf galaxies from the literature. Our observations therefore strongly suggest that AGC 208457 is a tidal dwarf galaxy.

Does the dwarf galaxy system of the Milky Way originate from Andromeda?

The Local Group is often seen to be a quiescent environment without significant merger events. However an ancient major merger may have occurred in the most massive galaxy. Numerical simulations have shown that tidal tails formed during gas-rich major mergers are long-lived and could be responsible for old stellar streams and likely induce the formation of tidal dwarf galaxies (TDGs). Using several hydrodynamical simulations we have investigated the most prominent tidal tail formed during the first passage, which is gas-rich and contains old and metal poor stars. We discovered several striking coincidences after comparing its location and motion to those of the Milky Way (MW) and of the Magellanic Clouds (MCs). First, the tidal tail is sweeping a relatively small volume in which the MW precisely lies. Because the geometry of the merger is somehow fixed by the anisotropic properties of the Giant Stream (GS), we evaluate the chance of the MW to be at such a rendez-vous with this gigantic tidal tail to be 5 %. Second, the velocity of the tidal tail matches the LMC proper motion, and reproduce quite well the geometrical and angular momentum properties of the MW dwarfs, i.e. the so-called disk of satellites, better called Vast Polar Structure (VPOS). Third, the simulation of the tidal tail reveals one of the formed TDG with mass and location almost comparable to those of the LMC. Our present modeling is however too limited to study the detailed interaction of gas-rich TDGs with the potential of the MW, and a complementary study is required to test whether the dwarf intrinsic properties can be accounted for by our scenario. Nevertheless this study suggests a causal link between an ancient, gas-rich major merger at the M31 location, and several enigma in the Local Group, the GS, the VPOS, and the presence of the MCs.

Star formation in H itails: HCG 92, HCG 100 and six interacting systems

We present new Gemini spectra of 14 new objects found within the HI tails of Hickson Compact Groups 92 and 100. Nine of them are GALEX Far-UV (FUV) and Near-UV (NUV) sources. The spectra confirm that these objects are members of the compact groups and have metallicities close to solar, with an average value of 12+log(O/H)~8.5. They have average FUV luminosities 7 x 10^40 erg/s, very young ages (< 100 Myr) and two of them resemble tidal dwarf galaxies (TDGs) candidates. We suggest that they were created within gas clouds that were ejected during galaxy-galaxy interactions into the intergalactic medium, which would explain the high metallicities of the objects, inherited from the parent galaxies from which the gas originated. We conduct a search for similar objects in 6 interacting systems with extended HI tails, NGC 2623, NGC 3079, NGC 3359, NGC 3627, NGC 3718, NGC 4656. We found 35 UV sources with ages < 100 Myr, however most of them are on average less luminous/massive than the UV sources found around HCG 92 and 100. We speculate that this might be an environmental effect and that compact groups of galaxies are more favorable to TDG formation than other interacting systems.

“GALAXY,” DEFINED

A growing number of low luminosity and low surface brightness astronomical objects challenge traditional notions of both galaxies and star clusters. To address this, we propose a definition of galaxy independent of the cold dark matter model of the universe: A galaxy is a gravitationally bound set of stars whose properties cannot be explained by a combination of baryons and Newton's laws of gravity. After exploring observational diagnostics of this definition, we examine the classification of ultra-faint dwarfs, globular clusters, ultra-compact dwarfs, and tidal dwarfs. While kinematic studies provide an effective galaxy diagnostic in many regimes, they can be less useful for compact or faint systems. To explore the use of [Fe/H] spread as a complementary diagnostic, we use published spectroscopic [Fe/H] measurements of 16 Milky Way dwarfs and 24 globular clusters to calculate their [Fe/H] spreads and uncertainties. Our principal results are: (i) no old star cluster less luminous then M_V = -10 has a significant (> 0.1 dex) spread in iron; (ii) known ultra-faint dwarfs can be classified with a combination of kinematics and [Fe/H]; (iii) the observed [Fe/H] spreads in massive (> 10^6 M_Sun) globular clusters do not necessarily imply they are the stripped nuclei of dwarfs, nor a need for dark matter; and (iv) if ultra-compact dwarfs reside in dark matter halos akin to those of ultra-faint dwarfs of the same half-light radii, then they will show no clear dynamical signature of dark matter. We suggest measurements that may assist future classification of massive globular clusters, ultra-compact dwarfs, and ultra-faint galaxies. Our galaxy definition is designed to be independent of the details of current observations and models, while our proposed diagnostics can be refined or replaced as our understanding of the universe evolves.

When the Largest Spiral is Formed

AbstractWe used UV-to-IR archival data to investigate the nature of the giant spiral galaxy, NGC 6872, 65 Mpc away. It belongs to the southern Pavo group and is interacting with a small lenticular galaxy, IC4970. GALEX UV images show a very large part of the galaxy not seen before, making it one of the largest spiral galaxies known, with a physical size greater than 150 kpc. The SED of 17 regions (10 kpc of diameter) across the two arms show a remarkable spatial distribution, as if they were mirror images with respect to their stellar population. However, the last 40 kpc of the northeastern arm are much bluer than any other region of the southwestern one. There is a strong spatial correlation between the NUV luminosity and the distance to the nucleus. The UV data supports the scenario of an interaction at 130 Myr which triggered star formation all over the disk of NGC 6872. The tip of the northeastern arm resembles a tidal dwarf galaxy in the process of formation.

Dwarf spheroidal satellites of the Milky Way from dark matter free tidal dwarf galaxy progenitors: maps of orbits

The long term time evolution of tidal dwarf satellite galaxies with two different initial densities orbiting a host galaxy that resembles the Milky Way has been studied using a large set of Newtonian N-Body simulations. From the simulations two maps of the orbital conditions that lead to quasi-equilibrium objects were constructed. It has been found that several orbits of the satellites allow for the existence, for about 1 Gyr or more, of out-of-equilibrium bodies with high apparent mass-to-light ratios. Within this framework the satellites in the quasi-stable phase reproduce the observed satellite properties for about 16% of the orbit for high density progenitors, and for about 66% for progenitors with lower densities An additional simulation for a single satellite with initial mass of 10^7 Msun and Plummer radius of 0.15 kpc leads to remnants in the quasi- equilibrium phase that simultaneously reproduce remarkably well the observational quantities of the UFDGs of the Milky Way. This satellite in the quasi-stable phase reproduces the observed satellite properties for about 42% of the orbit. The results suggest that a fraction of the observed satellites could plausibly be galaxies without dark matter that have true M/L ratios much lower than those measured. The inflated M/L ratios arise because they are observed at the right time, along the right orbit and during the quasi-equilibrium phase of their evolution. This is a viable explanation for the high M/L ratios observed in all satellites as long as the satellites are preferentially on certain orbits and are observed at certain times. This could arise within the TDG scenario if all satellites are created at the same time along a few specific orbits that are particularly susceptible to the quasi-equilibrium phase.

Filamentary accretion cannot explain the orbital poles of the Milky Way satellites

Several scenarios have been suggested to explain the phase-space distribution of the Milky Way (MW) satellite galaxies in a disc of satellites (DoS). To quantitatively compare these different possibilities, a new method analysing angular momentum directions in modelled data is presented. It determines how likely it is to find sets of angular momenta as concentrated and as close to a polar orientation as is observed for the MW satellite orbital poles. The method can be easily applied to orbital pole data from different models. The observed distribution of satellite orbital poles is compared to published angular momentum directions of subhaloes derived from six cosmological state-of-the-art simulations in the Aquarius project. This tests the possibility that filamentary accretion might be able to naturally explain the satellite orbits within the DoS. For the most likely alignment of main halo and MW disc spin, the probability to reproduce the MW satellite orbital pole properties turns out to be less than 0.5 per cent in the Aquarius models. Even an isotropic distribution of angular momenta has a higher likelihood to produce the observed distribution. The two Via Lactea cosmological simulations give results similar to the Aquarius simulations. Comparing instead with numerical models of galaxy interactions gives a probability of up to 90 per cent for some models to draw the observed distribution of orbital poles from the angular momenta of tidal debris. This indicates that the formation as tidal dwarf galaxies in a single encounter is a viable, if not the only, process to explain the phase-space distribution of the MW satellite galaxies.