A Peculiar Faint Satellite in the Remote Outer Halo of M31

A. D. Mackey*, A. P. Huxor, N. F. Martin, A. M. N. Ferguson, A. Dotter, A. W. McConnachie, R. A. Ibata, M. J. Irwin, G. F. Lewis, C. M. Sakari, N. R. Tanvir, K. A. Venn

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We present Hubble Space Telescope imaging of a newly discovered faint stellar system, PAndAS-48, in the outskirts of the M31 halo. Our photometry reveals this object to be comprised of an ancient and very metal-poor stellar population with age greater than or similar to 10 Gyr and [Fe/H] less than or similar to -2.3. Our inferred distance modulus (m - M)(0) = 24.57 +/- 0.11 confirms that PAndAS-48 is most likely a remote M31 satellite with a three-dimensional galactocentric radius of 149(-8)(+19) kpc. We observe an apparent spread in color on the upper red giant branch that is larger than the photometric uncertainties should allow, and briefly explore the implications of this. Structurally, PAndAS-48 is diffuse, faint, and moderately flattened, with a half-light radius r(h) = 26(-3)(+4) pc, integrated luminosity M-V = -4.8 +/- 0.5, and ellipticity epsilon = 0.30(-0.15)(+0.08). On the size-luminosity plane it falls between the extended globular clusters seen in several nearby galaxies and the recently discovered faint dwarf satellites of the Milky Way; however, its characteristics do not allow us to unambiguously classify it as either type of system. If PAndAS-48 is a globular cluster then it is among the most elliptical, isolated, and metal-poor of any seen in the Local Group, extended or otherwise. Conversely, while its properties are generally consistent with those observed for the faint Milky Way dwarfs, it would be a factor of similar to 2-3 smaller in spatial extent than any known counterpart of comparable luminosity.

Original languageEnglish
Article number17
Number of pages6
JournalAstrophysical Journal Letters
Volume770
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Jun 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • galaxies: dwarf
  • galaxies: individual (M31)
  • globular clusters: general
  • Local Group
  • MILKY-WAY SATELLITES
  • DISCOVERED GLOBULAR-CLUSTERS
  • DWARF GALAXIES
  • STAR-CLUSTERS
  • SPECTROSCOPIC SURVEY
  • ADVANCED CAMERA
  • LOCAL GROUP
  • ACS PHOTOMETRY
  • METALLICITY
  • SYSTEM

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