The First Proper Motion Measurement for M31: Dynamics and Mass of the Local Group

Computer Science

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Scientific paper

We will perform observations to determine the proper motion of the Andromeda galaxy M31, which has been sought for almost a century without success. While challenging, this measurement has now become possible due to the availability of existing deep ACS/WFC images of several M31 fields. The requested second epoch images will yield the average shift of the M31 stars with respect to compact galaxies in the background. Our observing strategy uses six different fields {three primary and three coordinated parallel} with two different instruments {ACS and WFC3} to provide a maximum handle on possible systematic effects. The expected result will be sufficiently accurate to: {a} discriminate between different histories for the dynamics of the Local Group; {b} constrain the mass distribution of the Local Group; {c} determine the details of the expected future merger between M31 and the Milky Way; {d} infer the past interaction history between M31 and M33; {e} constrain the internal proper motion kinematics of the M31 spheroid, outer disk, and tidal stream; and {f} obtain a pilot estimate of the M31 distance through the method of rotational parallax.;

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