Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Galaxy Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2010-10-29
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Galaxy Astrophysics
8 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication by ApJ
Scientific paper
We report the detection of a pair of degree-long tidal tails associated with the globular cluster Palomar 14, using images obtained at the CFHT. We reveal a power-law departure from a King profile at large distances to the cluster center. The density map constructed with the optimal matched filter technique shows a nearly symmetrical and elongated distribution of stars on both sides of the cluster, forming a S-shape characteristic of mass loss. This evidence may be the telltale signature of tidal stripping in action. This, together with its large Galactocentric distance, imposes strong constraints on its orbit and/or origin: i) it must follow an external orbit confined to the peripheral region of the Galactic halo and/or ii) it formed in a satellite galaxy later accreted by the Milky Way.
Martinez-Delgado David
Penarrubia Jorge
Sollima Antonio
Valls-Gabaud David
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