WITNESSING DISSOLUTION OF A STAR CLUSTER IN THE SEXTANS DWARF GALAXY

  • Kim, Hak-Sub (Korea Astronomy and Space Sience Institute) ;
  • Han, Sang-Il (Korea Astronomy and Space Sience Institute) ;
  • Joo, Seok-Joo (Korea Astronomy and Space Sience Institute) ;
  • Yoon, Suk-Jin (Department of Astronomy & Center for Galaxy Evolution Research)
  • Published : 2018.05.08

Abstract

We report a possible discovery of a relic of a dissolved star cluster in the Sextans dwarf spheroidal galaxy. Using the hk index (${\equiv}$(Ca-b)-(b-y)) as a photometric metallicity indicator, we have successfully discriminated the metal-poor and metal-rich stars in the galaxy and found an unexpected number density peak of metal-poor stars near the galaxy center. The analysis of color-magnitude diagrams reveals that they appear to be originated from an old, metal-poor globular cluster which might be slightly farther than the bulk of field stars in the galaxy. This supports the presence of the star cluster remnants in the galaxy which have been suggested by previous studies. If confirmed, dissolution of a star cluster provides a piece of evidence of a cored dark-matter halo profile for the Sextans dwarf galaxy.

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