Computer Science
Scientific paper
Aug 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006noao.prop..423m&link_type=abstract
NOAO Proposal ID #2006B-0423
Computer Science
Scientific paper
Understanding the formation of galaxies and their structural components is a goal of modern cosmology. Cold dark matter models make specific predictions about the shape, extent and smoothness of halos, but few halos outside the Milky Way's (MW) have been explored for even the most basic, global properties; even the MW halo presents some difficulties for study from within. But M31 offers a global external perspective and yet is close enough for us to resolve individual stars. Recently, using Mayall 4-m + Mosaic photometry in the Washington M, T_2 + DDO51 filters and follow-up spectroscopy of identified M31 giant candidates, we made the first direct and unambiguous detection of the M31 halo, and traced its projected r^-2 density profile to 150 kpc along the minor axis. We propose to expand on this discovery by (1) continuing this first systematic photometric and spectroscopic study of the extent, shape, smoothness, and chemodynamics of the newly found M31 halo to even larger radii, (2) checking whether there is an M33 halo and clarifying whether it overlaps the M31 halo, (3) searching for new streams/substructure in the outer halo, and (4) use our very sensitive techniques to survey the more challenging and less studied northeast side of M31. We will obtain the first measure of the dynamics, kinematical substructure and metallicity gradient of the M31 halo to (mu)_V> 35 mag arcsec^-2, and thereby provide direct constraints on hierarchical formation models.
Guhathakurta Puragra
Kalirai Jason
Majewski Steven R.
Patterson Richard J.
Rich Robert Michael
No associations
LandOfFree
Exploring the Newly Discovered Halo Of M31 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 Exploring the Newly Discovered Halo Of M31, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Exploring the Newly Discovered Halo Of M31 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1104609