Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-06-02
Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc. 351 (2004) L94
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
5 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS Letters
Scientific paper
10.1111/j.1365-2966.2004.08076.x
Using data taken as part of the Isaac Newton Telescope Wide Field Camera (INT WFC) survey of M31, we have identified an arc-like overdensity of blue, presumably metal-poor, red giant branch stars in the north-west quadrant of M31. This feature is approximately 1 degree (15 kpc) in extent and has a surface brightness of Sigma_V' ~ 28.5 +/- 0.5 mags per sq. arcsec. The arc appears to emanate from the dwarf elliptical galaxy NGC205, and the colour of its red giant branch is significantly different to the M31 disk population but closely resembles that of NGC205. Further, using data taken with the DEep Imaging Multi-Object Spectrograph (DEIMOS) on Keck II, we identify the radial velocity signature of this arc. Its velocity dispersion is measured to be approximately 10km/s, similar to that of the central regions of NGC205 and typical of stellar streams. Based upon the spatial coincidence of these objects, the surface brightness, the velocity dispersions and the similarity in colour of the red giant branches, we postulate that the arc is part of a stellar stream, the progenitor of which is NGC205.
Chapman Sandra
Ferguson Andrew
Ibata Rodrigo
Irwin Mike
Lewis Geraint
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