Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2003-11-04
Astrophys.J. 602 (2004) L21-L24
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
4 pages, 3 postscript figures, emulateapj.sty (accepted ApJL)
Scientific paper
10.1086/382504
The Galactic Anticenter Stellar Structure (GASS) has been identified with excess surface densities of field stars in several large area sky surveys, and with an unusual, string-like grouping of five globular clusters. At least two of these are diffuse, young ``transitional'' clusters between open and globular types. Here we call attention to the fact that four {\it younger} open or transitional clusters extend the previously identified, string-like cluster grouping, with at least one having a radial velocity consistent with the previously found GASS velocity-longitude trend. All nine clusters lie close to a plane tipped 17$\arcdeg$ to the Galactic plane. This planar orientation is used to forage for additional potential cluster members in the inner Galaxy, and a number are found along the same plane and string-like sequence, {\it including almost all fifteen known outer, old open clusters}. Tidal accretion of a dwarf satellite galaxy on a low inclination orbit -- perhaps the GASS system -- appears to be a plausible explanation for the origin of the outer, old open and transitional clusters of the Milky Way. We use these clusters to explore the age-metallicity relation of the putative accreted GASS progenitor. Finally, we provide the first radial velocity of a star in the cluster BH 176 and discuss its implications.
Crane Jeffrey D.
Frinchaboy Peter M.
Majewski Steven R.
Munoz Ricardo R.
Patterson Richard J.
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