Two distinct halo populations in the solar neighborhood. III. Evidence from stellar ages and orbital parameters

Details Two distinct halo populations in the solar neighborhood. III. Evidence from stellar ages and orbital parameters Two distinct halo populations in the solar neighborhood. III. Evidence from stellar ages and orbital parameters

2011-11-17

arxiv.org/abs/1111.4026v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Galaxy Astrophysics

15 pages, 13 figures, four tables. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

Scientific paper

In Papers I and II of this series, the existence of two distinct halo populations of stars have been found in the solar neighborhood. Precise relative ages and orbital parameters are determined for 67 halo and 16 thick-disk stars having metallicities in the range -1.4 < [Fe/H] < -0.4 to better understand the context of the two halo populations in the formation and evolution of the Galaxy. Ages are derived by comparing the positions of stars in the logT_{eff}-log(g) diagram with isochrones from the Y^2 models interpolated to the exact [Fe/H] and [alpha/Fe] values of each star. Possible systematic errors in T_{eff} and log(g) are considered and corrected. With space velocities from Paper I as initial conditions, orbital integrations have been carried out using a detailed, observationally constrained Milky Way model including a bar and spiral arms. The `high-alpha' halo stars have ages 2-3 Gyr larger than the `low-alpha' ones. The orbital parameters show very distinct differences between the `high-alpha' and `low-alpha' halo stars. The `low-alpha' ones have r_{max}'s to 30-40 kpc, z_{max}'s to approx. 18 kpc, and e_{max}'s clumped at values greater than 0.85, while the `high-alpha' ones, r_{max}'s to about 16 kpc, z_{max}'s to 6-8 kpc, and e_{max} more or less uniformly distributed over 0.4-1.0. A dual in situ-plus-accretion formation scenario best explains the existence and characteristics of these two halo populations, but one remaining defect is that this model is not consistent regarding the r_{max}'s obtained for the in situ `high-alpha' component; the predicted values are too small. It appears that omega Cen may have contributed in a significant way to the existence of the `low-alpha' component; recent models, including dynamical friction and tidal stripping, have produced orbital parameters as great as those of the `low-alpha' component.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Two distinct halo populations in the solar neighborhood. III. Evidence from stellar ages and orbital parameters does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Two distinct halo populations in the solar neighborhood. III. Evidence from stellar ages and orbital parameters, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Two distinct halo populations in the solar neighborhood. III. Evidence from stellar ages and orbital parameters will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-349338