A curious Milky Way satellite in Ursa Major

D. B. Zucker, V. Belokurov, N. W. Evans, J. T. Kleyna, M. J. Irwin, M. I. Wilkinson, M. Fellhauer, D. M. Bramich, G. Gilmore, H. J. Newberg, B. Yanny, J. A. Smith, P. C. Hewett, E. F. Bell, H. W. Rix, O. Y. Gnedin, S. Vidrih, R. F.G. Wyse, B. Willman, E. K. GrebelD. P. Schneider, T. C. Beers, A. Y. Kniazev, J. C. Barentine, H. Brewington, J. Brinkmann, M. Harvanek, S. J. Kleinman, J. Krzesinski, D. Long, A. Nitta, S. A. Snedden

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

278 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this Letter, we study a localized stellar overdensity in the constellation of Ursa Major, first identified in Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) data and subsequently followed up with Subaru imaging. Its color-magnitude diagram (CMD) shows a well-defined subgiant branch, main sequence, and turnoff, from which we estimate a distance of ∼30 kpc and a projected size of ∼250 × 125 pc2. The CMD suggests a composite population with some range in metallicity and/or age. Based on its extent and stellar population, we argue that this is a previously unknown satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, hereby named Ursa Major II (UMa II) after its constellation. Using SDSS data, we find an absolute magnitude of Mv ∼ -3.8, which would make it the faintest known satellite galaxy. UMa II's isophotes are irregular and distorted with evidence for multiple concentrations; this suggests that the satellite is in the process of disruption.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)L41-L44
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume650
Issue number1 II
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 10 2006

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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