Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Aug 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009noao.prop..550b&link_type=abstract
NOAO Proposal ID #2009B-0550
Mathematics
Logic
Scientific paper
In CDM simulations, galaxies form hierarchically through merger events. Due to sparse stellar density and long dynamical timescales, stellar halos should be particularly suitable for studying this history, with all stages of minor merging preserved in luminous structures; this includes very early mergers now making up the inner spheroids, intermediate-aged accretions in the form of coherent stellar streams, recent accretions seen as tidally disrupting dSphs, and future accretions represented by still-intact satellites. Clearly, the study of nearby, resolved massive galaxy halos, like those of the Milky Way (MW) and M31, are vital to providing observational feedback for testing cosmological simulations with unparalleled detail. We propose to use Mosaic + Keck/Deimos to study all stages of merging history in the M31 stellar halo by (1) exploring newly discovered M31 satellites (e.g. Irwin et al. 2008), most expected to be future mergers, but including at least some present mergers, like the tidally disrupted AndXIX dSph (McConnachie et al. 2008); (2) investigating the relatively recent merger seen as the Great Southern Stream (Ibata et al. 2001, Gilbert et al. 2007, Fardal et al. 2008) and associated substructures, (3) continuing to characterize older mergers, seen as substructure in the outer M31 (and M33) halo, and (4) further defining the character of the inner M31 spheroid.
Beaton Rachael Lynn
Bullock James S.
Gilbert Karoline
Guhathakurta Puragra
Kalirai Jason
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