Detailed Chemical Composition and Orbit of the Newly Discovered Globular Cluster FSR 1758: Implications for the Accretion of the Sequoia Dwarf Galaxy onto the Milky Way Based on observations carried out at the Magellan/Clay telescope under program CN2018B-71.

Sandro Villanova, Lorenzo Monaco, Doug Geisler, Julia O'Connell, Dante Minniti, Paulina Assmann, Rodolfo Barbá

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20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We present detailed chemical abundances, radial velocity, and orbital parameters for FSR 1758, a recently discovered massive cluster in the direction of the Galactic bulge. High-resolution (R ∼ 42,000) spectra were obtained for nine members using the Magellan/Clay telescope instrumented with the MIKE echelle spectrogragh in the wavelength range of ∼4900-8700 . Cluster membership was determined using Gaia DR2 proper motions and confirmed with our radial velocity measurements. We find a metallicity of [Fe/H] =-1.58 ± 0.03, consistent with previous photometric estimates, and no significant iron spread. While other studies have suggested that this massive object could be the remnant of a captured dwarf galaxy, our results are consistent with a globular cluster (GC) nature, given its lack of any intrinsic metallicity spread and the Na-O anticorrelation similar to those of other GC. In addition, the small velocity dispersion of 4.9 ± 1.2 km s-1 we find is that typical of a GC. We also confirm a retrograde orbit that appears to be highly eccentric suggesting it is a halo interloper currently in the bulge. We support the hypothesis that FSR 1758 was part of a disrupted dwarf galaxy named Sequoia.

Original languageEnglish
Article number174
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume882
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Sept 2019

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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