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MAGELLAN/M2FS SPECTROSCOPY of the RETICULUM 2 DWARF SPHEROIDAL GALAXY

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Walker, MG 
Mateo, M 
Olszewski, EW 
Iii, JIB 
Koposov, SE 

Abstract

We present results from spectroscopic observations with the Michigan/Magellan Fiber System (M2FS) of 182 stellar targets along the line of sight to the newly-discovered `ultrafaint' object Reticulum 2 (Ret 2). For 38 of these targets, the spectra are sufficient to provide simultaneous estimates of line-of-sight velocity (vlos, median random error δvlos=1.3 km s−1), effective temperature (Teff, δTeff=464 K), surface gravity (logg, δlogg=0.54 dex) and iron abundance ([Fe/H], δ[Fe/H]=0.45 dex). We use these results to confirm 18 stars as members of Ret 2. From the member sample we estimate a velocity dispersion of σvlos=3.6−0.6+0.9 km s−1 about a mean of vlos⟩=64.8−1.0+1.1 km s−1 in the solar rest frame (∼−90.9 km s−1 in the Galactic rest frame), and a metallicity dispersion of σ[Fe/H]=0.50−0.13+0.17 dex about a mean of [Fe/H]⟩=−2.67−0.34+0.34. These estimates marginalize over possible velocity and metallicity gradients, which are consistent with zero. Our results place Ret 2 on chemodynamical scaling relations followed by the Milky Way's dwarf-galactic satellites. Under assumptions of dynamic equilibrium and negligible contamination from binary stars---both of which must be checked with deeper imaging and repeat spectroscopic observations---the estimated velocity dispersion suggests a dynamical mass of M(Rh)≈5Rhσvlos2/(2G)=2.4−0.8+1.3×105 M enclosed within projected halflight radius Rh∼32 pc, with mass-to-light ratio ≈2M(Rh)/LV=462−157+264 in solar units.

Description

Keywords

galaxies: dwarf, galaxies: individual (Reticulum 2), galaxies: kinematics and dynamics, Local Group, methods: data analysis, techniques: spectroscopic

Journal Title

Astrophysical Journal

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0004-637X
1538-4357

Volume Title

808

Publisher

American Astronomical Society
Sponsorship
European Research Council (308024)