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Hot, |$\log (T/\mathrm{K})$| |$\sim$| 7.5, gas was recently discovered in the Milky Way in extragalactic sightlines. In order to determine its location, here we present sightlines to Galactic X-ray binaries (XRBs) passing through the Interstellar Medium (ISM). In this pilot study, we investigate absorption features of S |$_{\mathrm{XVI}}$|⁠ , Si |$_{\mathrm{XIV}}$|⁠ , and Ne |$_{\mathrm{X}}$| in the spectra of three XRBs, namely 4U 1735–44, 4U 1820–30, and Cyg X-2, using Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating archival observations. We do not detect any of these lines. We determine the 2 |$\sigma$| upper limit for the equivalent widths of the undetected absorption lines and the column densities of the corresponding ions. We note that the 2 |$\sigma$| upper limits for S |$_{\mathrm{XVI}}$| K |$\alpha$| and Si |$_{\mathrm{XIV}}$| K |$\alpha$| are an order of magnitude smaller than those previously detected in the extragalactic sightlines. Our finding suggests that if any gas at |$\log (T/\mathrm{K})$| |$\gt\ 7$| is present in the Galactic ISM, it is unlikely to be ubiquitous. This is an important result because it implies that S |$_{\mathrm{XVI}}$|⁠ , Si |$_{\mathrm{XIV}}$|⁠ , and Ne |$_{\mathrm{X}}$| absorption detected in extragalactic sightlines is not from the ISM, but is likely from a hot gas phase in the extraplanar region beyond the ISM or in the extended Circumgalactic Medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The question of whether the Milky Way's disc extends to low metallicity has been the subject of debate for many years. We aim to address the question by employing a large sample of giant stars with radial velocities and homogeneous metallicities based on the Gaia Data Release 3 BP/RP(XP) spectra. We study the 3D velocity distribution of stars in various metallicity ranges, including the very metal-poor (VMP) regime (⁠|$\mathrm{[M/H]} < -2.0$|⁠). We find that a clear, stand-alone disc population, i.e. that with a ratio of rotational velocity to velocity dispersion |$v/\sigma > 1$|⁠ , starts to emerge only around |$\mathrm{[M/H]} \sim -1.3$|⁠ , and is not visible for |$\mathrm{[M/H]} < -1.6$|⁠. Using Gaussian mixture modelling, we show that there are two halo populations in the VMP regime: one stationary and one with a net prograde rotation of |$\sim\!\! 80\ \mathrm{km\, s}^{-1}$|⁠. In this low-metallicity range, we are able to place constraints on the contribution of a rotation-supported thick disc sub-population to a maximum of |$\sim\!\! 3$| per cent in our sample. We compare our results to previous claims of discy VMP stars in both observations and simulations and find that having a prograde halo component could explain most of these. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overdensities in the radial phase space |$(r,v_{\rm r})$| of the Milky Way's halo have previously been associated with the phase-mixed debris of a highly radial merger event such as Gaia Sausage–Enceladus. We present and test an alternative theory in which the overdense 'chevrons' are instead composed of stars trapped in resonances with the Galactic bar. We develop an analytic model of resonant orbits in the isochrone potential, and complement this with a test particle simulation of a stellar halo in a realistic barred Milky Way potential. These models are used to predict the appearance of action space |$(J_\phi ,J_{\rm r})$| and radial phase space in the Solar neighbourhood. They are able to reproduce almost all salient features of the observed chevrons. In particular, both the analytic model and simulation predict that the chevrons are more prominent at |$v_{\rm r}\ \lt\ 0$| when viewed near the Sun, as is observed by Gaia. This is inconsistent with formation by an ancient merger event. We also associate individual chevrons with specific resonances. At a bar pattern speed of |$\Omega _\mathrm{b}=35$| km s |$^{-1}$|  kpc |$^{-1}$|⁠ , the two most prominent prograde chevrons align very closely with the corotation and outer Lindblad resonances. The former can be viewed as a highly eccentric extension of the Hercules stream. Finally, our model predicts that the |$v_{\rm r}$| asymmetry changes sign as a function of Galactic radius and azimuth, and we find evidence that this is indeed the case in the Milky Way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of type Ia supernovae (SN Ia), mainly the delay time distributions (DTDs) determined by the binary systems, and the yields of elements created by different explosion mechanisms, are studied by using the MulChem chemical evolution model applied to our Galaxy. We explored 15 DTDs and 12 tables of elemental yields produced by different SN Ia explosion mechanisms, doing a total of 180 models. Chemical abundances for |$\alpha$| -elements (O, Mg, Si, and Ca) and Fe derived from these models are compared with recent solar region observational data of |$\alpha$| -elements over Fe relative abundances, [X/Fe], as a function of [Fe/H] and age. A multidimensional maximum-likelihood analysis shows that 52 models are able to fit all these data sets simultaneously, considering the 1 |$\sigma$| confidence level. The combination of STROLG1 DTD from Strolger et al. (2020) and LN20181 SN Ia yields from Leung & Nomoto (2018) provides the best fit. The exponential model with very prompt events is a possible DTD, but a combination of several channels is more probable. The SN Ia yields that include MCh or Near MCh correspond to 39 (75 per cent) of the 52 best models. Regarding the DTD, 31 (60 per cent) of the 52 most probable models correspond to the SD scenario, while the remaining 21 (40 per cent) are based on the DD scenario. Our results also show that the relatively large dispersion of the observational data may be explained by the stellar migration from other radial regions, and/or perhaps a combination of DTDs and explosion channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the non-adiabatic effect of time-dependent deformations in the Milky Way (MW) halo potential on stellar streams. Specifically, we consider the MW's response to the infall of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and how this impacts our ability to recover the spherically averaged MW mass profile from observation using stream actions. Previously, action clustering methods have only been applied to static or adiabatic MW systems to constrain the properties of the host system. We use a time-evolving MW–LMC simulation described by basis function expansions. We find that for streams with realistic observational uncertainties on shorter orbital periods and without close encounters with the LMC, e.g. GD-1, the radial action distribution is sufficiently clustered to locally recover the spherical MW mass profile across the stream radial range within a |$2\sigma$| confidence interval determined using a Fisher information approach. For streams with longer orbital periods and close encounters with the LMC, e.g. Orphan–Chenab (OC), the radial action distribution disperses as the MW halo has deformed non-adiabatically. Hence, for OC streams generated in potentials that include an MW halo with any deformations, action clustering methods will fail to recover the spherical mass profile within a |$2\sigma$| uncertainty. Finally, we investigate whether the clustering of stream energies can provide similar constraints. Surprisingly, we find for OC-like streams, the recovered spherically averaged mass profiles demonstrate less sensitivity to the time-dependent deformations in the potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The Gaia Collaboration has recently reported the detection of a 33 M⊙ black hole in a wide binary system located in the solar neighbourhood. Aims. Here we explore the relationship between this black hole, known as Gaia BH3, and the nearby ED-2 halo stellar stream. Methods. We studied the orbital characteristics of the Gaia BH3 binary and present measurements of the chemical abundances of ED-2 member stars derived from high-resolution spectra obtained with the VLT. Results. We find that the Galactic orbit of the Gaia BH3 system and its metallicity are entirely consistent with being part of the ED-2 stream. The characteristics of the stream, particularly its negligible spread in metallicity and in other chemical elements, as well as its single stellar population, suggest that it originated from a disrupted star cluster of low mass. Its age is comparable to that of the globular cluster M92 that has been estimated to be as old as the Universe. Conclusions. This is the first black hole unambiguously associated with a disrupted star cluster. We infer the plausible mass range for the cluster to be relatively narrow, between 2 × 103 M⊙ and 5.2 × 104 M⊙. This implies that the black hole could have formed directly from the collapse of a massive very metal-poor star, but that the alternative scenario of binary interactions inside the cluster environment also deserves to be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The oldest stars in the Milky Way are metal-poor with [Fe/H] < −1.0, displaying peculiar elemental abundances compared to solar values. The relative variations in the chemical compositions among stars is also increasing with decreasing stellar metallicity, allowing for the pure signature of unique nucleosynthesis processes to be revealed. The study of the r-process is, for instance, one of the main goals of stellar archaeology and metal-poor stars exhibit an unexpected complexity in the stellar production of the r-process elements in the early Galaxy. Aims. In this work, we report the atmospheric parameters, main dynamic properties, and the abundances of four metal-poor stars: HE 1523-0901, HD 6268, HD 121135, and HD 195636 (−1.5 > [Fe/H] > −3.0). Methods. The abundances were derived from spectra obtained with the HRS echelle spectrograph at the Southern African Large Telescope, using both local and non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE and NLTE) approaches, with the average error between 0.10 and 0.20 dex. Results. Based on their kinematical properties, we show that HE 1523-0901 and HD 195636 are halo stars with typical high velocities. In particular, HD 121135 displays a peculiar kinematical behaviour, making it unclear whether it is a halo or an accreted star. Furthermore, HD 6268 is possibly a rare prototype of very metal-poor thick disk stars. The abundances derived for our stars are compared with theoretical stellar models and with other stars with similar metallicity values from the literature. Conclusions. HD 121135 is Al-poor and Sc-poor, compared to stars observed in the same metallicity range (−1.62 > [Fe/H] > −1.12). The most metal-poor stars in our sample, HE 1523-0901, HD 6268, and HD 195636, exhibit anomalies that are better explained by supernova models from fast-rotating stellar progenitors for elements up to the Fe group. Compared to other stars in the same metal-licity range, their common biggest anomaly is represented by the low Sc abundances. If we consider the elements beyond Zn, HE 1523-0901 can be classified as an r-II star, HD 6268 as an r-I candidate, and HD 195636 and HD 121135 exhibiting a borderline r-process enrichment between limited-r and r-I star. Significant relative differences are observed between the r-process signatures in these stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent observations and simulations reveal that the circumgalactic medium (CGM) surrounding galaxies is multiphase, with the gas temperatures spanning a wide range at most radii, ∼104 K to the virial temperature (∼106 K for Milky Way). Traditional CGM models using simple density profiles are inadequate at reproducing observations that indicate a broad temperature range. Alternatively, a model based on probability distribution functions (PDFs) with parameters motivated by simulations can better match multiwavelength observations. In this work, we use log-normal distributions, commonly seen in the simulations of the multiphase interstellar and circumgalactic media, to model the multiphase CGM. We generalize the isothermal background model by Faerman et al. to include more general CGM profiles. We extend the existing probabilistic models from 1D-PDFs in temperature to 2D-PDFs in density–temperature phase space and constrain its parameters using a Milky Way-like Illustris TNG50-1 halo. We generate various synthetic observables such as column densities of different ions, UV/X-ray spectra, and dispersion and emission measures. X-ray and radio (Fast Radio Burst) observations mainly constrain the hot gas properties. However, interpreting cold/warm phase diagnostics is not straightforward since these phases are patchy, with inherent variability in intercepting these clouds along arbitrary lines of sight. We provide a tabulated comparison of model predictions with observations and plan to expand this into a comprehensive compilation of models and data. Our modelling provides a simple analytical framework that is useful for describing important aspects of the multiphase CGM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to constrain the evolutionary history of the Milky Way, we hunt for faint RR Lyrae stars (RRLs) using Dark Energy Camera data from the High cadence Transient Survey and the Halo Outskirts With Variable Stars survey. We report the detection of |$\sim$| 500 RRLs, including previously identified stars and |$\sim$| 90 RRLs not yet reported. We identify nine new RRLs beyond 100 kpc from the Sun, most of which are classified as fundamental-mode pulsators. The periods and amplitudes of the distant RRLs do not place them in either one of the two classical Oosterhoff groups, but in the Oosterhoff intermediate region. We detect two groups of clumped distant RRLs with similar distances and equatorial coordinates, which we interpret as an indication of their association with undiscovered bound or unbound satellites. We study the halo density profile using spheroidal and ellipsoidal (⁠|$q=0.7$|⁠) models, following a Markov chain Monte Carlo methodology. For a spheroidal halo, our derived radial profile is consistent with a broken power law with a break at |$18.1^{+2.1}_{-1.1}$| kpc separating the inner and the outer halo, and an outer slope of |$-4.47^{+0.11}_{-0.18}$|⁠. For an ellipsoidal halo, the break is located at |$24.3^{+2.6}_{-3.2}$| kpc and the outer slope is |$-4.57^{+0.17}_{-0.25}$|⁠. The break in the density profile is a feature visible in different directions of the halo. The similarity of these radial distributions with previous values reported in the literature seems to depend on the regions of the sky surveyed (direction and total area) and halo tracer used. Our findings are compatible with simulations and observations that predict that the outer regions of Milky Way-like galaxies are mainly composed of accreted material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We measure the kinematic signature arising from the Milky Way (MW) disc moving with respect to the outer stellar halo, which is observed as a dipole signal in the kinematics of stellar halo tracers. We quantify how the reflex motion varies as a function of Galactocentric distance, finding that (i) the amplitude of the dipole signal increases as a function of radius, and (ii) the direction moves across the sky. We compare the reflex motion signal against a compilation of published models that follow the MW–LMC interaction. These models show a similar trend of increasing amplitude of the reflex motion as a function of distance, but they do not reproduce the direction of the disc motion with respect to the stellar halo well. We also report mean motions for the stellar halo as a function of distance, finding radial compression in the outer halo and non-zero prograde rotation at all radii. The observed compression signal is also present in MW–LMC models, but the rotation is not, which suggests that the latter is not induced by the LMC. We extensively validate our technique to measure reflex motion against idealized tests. We discuss prospects for directly constraining the mass and orbital history of the LMC through the impact on the motion of the MW stellar disc, and how the modelling of the reflex motion can be improved as more and better data become available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study focuses on characterizing the highly ionized gas within the Milky Way's (MW) Circumgalactic Medium (CGM) that gives rise to ionic transitions in the X-ray band 2–25 Å. Utilizing stacked Chandra /ACIS-S MEG and LETG spectra toward Quasar (QSO) sightlines, we employ the self-consistent hybrid ionization code phase to model our data. The stacked spectra are optimally described by three distinct gas phase components: warm [log (T /K) ∼ 5.5], warm-hot [log (T /K) ∼6], and hot [log (T /K) ∼ 7.5] components. These findings confirm the presence of the hot component in the MW's CGM indicating its coexistence with warm and warm-hot gas phases. We find this hot component to be homogeneous in temperature but inhomogeneous in column density. The gas in the hot component requires overabundances relative to solar to be consistent with the Dispersion Measure (DM) from the Galactic halo reported in the literature. For the hot phase we estimated a DM =  |$55.1^{+29.9}_{-23.7}$|  pc cm−3. We conclude that this phase is either enriched in Oxygen, Silicon, and Sulfur, or has metallicity over 6 times solar value, or a combination of both. We do not detect Fe L-shell absorption lines, implying O/Fe ≥ 4. The non-solar abundance ratios found in the supervirial gas component in the Galactic halo suggest that this phase arises from Galactic feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, spectral, age, kinematic, and orbital dynamical analyses were conducted on metal‐poor and high proper‐motion (HPM) stars, HD 8724 and HD 195633, selected from the Solar neighborhood. This analysis combines detailed abundance measurements, kinematics, and orbital dynamics to determine their origin. Standard 1D local thermodynamic equilibrium analysis provides a fresh determination of the atmospheric parameters: Teff = 4700 ± 115 K, log g = 1.65 ± 0.32 cgs, [Fe/H] = −1.59 ± 0.04 dex, and a microturbulent velocity ξ=$$ \xi = $$ 1.58 ± 0.50 km s−1 for HD 8724 and Teff = 6100 ± 205 K, log g = 3.95 ± 0.35 cgs, [Fe/H] = −0.52 ± 0.05 dex, and ξ=$$ \xi = $$1.26 ± 0.50 km s−1 for HD 195633. The ages were estimated using a Bayesian approach (12.25 Gyr for HD 8724 and 8.15 Gyr for HD 195633). The escape scenarios of these stars from 170 candidate globular clusters (GCs) in the Galaxy were also investigated because of their chemical and physical differences (HPM and metal‐poor nature). Accordingly, the calculated probability of encounter (59%) for HD 8724 at a distance of five tidal radius suggests that star HD 8724 may have escaped from NGC 5139 (ω$$ \omega $$ Cen), supported by its highly flattened orbit and may belong to a subpopulation of this GC. Conversely, HD 195633's kinematics, age, and metal abundances point toward an escape from the bulge GC NGC 6356. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We perform SubHalo Abundance Matching (SHAM) studies on UNIT simulations with {σ, Vceil, vsmear}-SHAM and {σ, Vceil, fsat}-SHAM. They are designed to reproduce the clustering on 5-30 of luminous red galaxies (LRGs), emission-line galaxies (ELGs), and quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) at 0.4 < z < 3.5 from DESI (Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument) One Percent Survey. Vceil is the incompleteness of the massive host (sub)haloes and is the key to the generalized SHAM. vsmear models the clustering effect of redshift uncertainties, providing measurements consistent with those from repeat observations. A free satellite fraction fsat is necessary to reproduce the clustering of ELGs. We find ELGs present a more complex galaxy-halo mass relation than LRGs reflected in their weak constraints on σ. LRGs, QSOs, and ELGs show increasing Vceil values, corresponding to the massive galaxy incompleteness of LRGs, the quenched star formation of ELGs and the quenched black hole accretion of QSOs. For LRGs, a Gaussian vsmear presents a better profile for subsamples at redshift bins than a Lorentzian profile used for other tracers. The impact of the statistical redshift uncertainty on ELG clustering is negligible. The best-fitting satellite fraction for DESI ELGs is around 4 per cent, lower than previous estimations for ELGs. The mean halo mass log10((Mvir)) in for LRGs, ELGs, and QSOs are 13.16 ± 0.01, 11.90 ± 0.06, and 12.66 ± 0.45, respectively. Our generalized SHAM algorithms facilitate the production of multitracer galaxy mocks for cosmological tests.

The Milky Way's (MW) inner stellar halo contains an [Fe/H]-rich component with highly eccentric orbits, often referred to as the 'last major merger.' Hypotheses for the origin of this component include Gaia -Sausage/Enceladus (GSE), where the progenitor collided with the MW proto-disc 8–11 Gyr ago, and the Virgo Radial Merger (VRM), where the progenitor collided with the MW disc within the last 3 Gyr. These two scenarios make different predictions about observable structure in local phase space, because the morphology of debris depends on how long it has had to phase mix. The recently identified phase-space folds in Gaia DR3 have positive caustic velocities, making them fundamentally different than the phase-mixed chevrons found in simulations at late times. Roughly 20 per cent of the stars in the prograde local stellar halo are associated with the observed caustics. Based on a simple phase-mixing model, the observed number of caustics are consistent with a merger that occurred 1–2 Gyr ago. We also compare the observed phase-space distribution to FIRE-2 Latte simulations of GSE-like mergers, using a quantitative measurement of phase mixing (2D causticality). The observed local phase-space distribution best matches the simulated data 1–2 Gyr after collision, and certainly not later than 3 Gyr. This is further evidence that the progenitor of the 'last major merger' did not collide with the MW proto-disc at early times, as is thought for the GSE, but instead collided with the MW disc within the last few Gyr, consistent with the body of work surrounding the VRM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stellar mergers and accretion events have been crucial in shaping the evolution of the Milky Way (MW). These events have been dynamically identified and chemically characterized using red giants and main-sequence stars. RR Lyrae (RRL) variables can play a crucial role in tracing the early formation of the MW since they are ubiquitous, old (t ≥ 10 Gyr) low-mass stars and accurate distance indicators. We exploited Data Release 3 of the GALAH survey to identify 78 field RRLs suitable for chemical analysis. Using synthetic spectra calculations, we determined atmospheric parameters and abundances of Fe, Mg, Ca, Y, and Ba. Most of our stars exhibit halo-like chemical compositions, with an iron peak around [Fe/H] ≈ −1.40, and enhanced Ca and Mg content. Notably, we discovered a metal-rich tail, with [Fe/H] values ranging from −1 to approximately solar metallicity. This sub-group includes almost 1/4 of the sample, it is characterized by thin disc kinematics and displays sub-solar α-element abundances, marginally consistent with the majority of the MW stars. Surprisingly, they differ distinctly from typical MW disc stars in terms of the s-process elements Y and Ba. We took advantage of similar data available in the literature and built a total sample of 535 field RRLs for which we estimated kinematical and dynamical properties. We found that metal-rich RRLs (1/3 of the sample) likely represent an old component of the MW thin disc. We also detected RRLs with retrograde orbits and provided preliminary associations with the Gaia–Sausage–Enceladus, Helmi, Sequoia, Sagittarius, and Thamnos stellar streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a detailed chemical abundance and kinematic analysis of six extremely metal-poor (−4.2 ≤ [Fe/H] ≤−2.9) halo stars with very low neutron-capture abundances ([Sr/H] and [Ba/H]) based on high-resolution Magellan/MIKE spectra. Three of our stars have [Sr/Ba] and [Sr/H] ratios that resemble those of metal-poor stars in ultra-faint dwarf galaxies (UFDs). Since early UFDs may be the building blocks of the Milky Way, extremely metal-poor halo stars with low, UFD-like Sr and Ba abundances may thus be ancient stars from the earliest small galactic systems that were accreted by the proto-Milky Way. We label these objects as Small Accreted Stellar System (SASS) stars, and we find an additional 61 similar ones in the literature. A kinematic analysis of our sample and literature stars reveals them to be fast-moving halo objects, all with retrograde motion, indicating an accretion origin. Because SASS stars are much brighter than typical UFD stars, identifying them offers promising ways towards detailed studies of early star formation environments. From the chemical abundances of SASS stars, it appears that the earliest accreted systems were likely enriched by a few supernovae whose light element yields varied from system to system. Neutron-capture elements were sparsely produced and/or diluted, with r -process nucleosynthesis playing a role. These insights offer a glimpse into the early formation of the Galaxy. Using neutron-capture elements as a distinguishing criterion for early formation, we have access to a unique metal-poor population that consists of the oldest stars in the universe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate a mechanism to form and keep a planar spatial distribution of satellite galaxies in the Milky Way (MW), which is called the satellite plane. It has been pointed out that the ΛCDM cosmological model hardly explains the existence of such a satellite plane, so it is regarded as one of the serious problems in the current cosmology. We here focus on a rotation of the gravitational potential of a host galaxy, i.e. a so-called figure rotation, following the previous suggestion that this effect can induce the tilt of a so-called tube orbit. Our calculation shows that a figure rotation of a triaxial potential forms a stable orbital plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the potential. Thus, it is suggested that the MW's dark halo is rotating with its axis being around the normal line of the satellite plane. Additionally, we find that a small velocity dispersion of satellites is required to keep the flatness of the planar structure, namely the standard derivation of their velocities perpendicular to the satellite plane needs to be smaller than their mean rotational velocity on the plane. Although not all the MW's satellites satisfy this condition, a fraction of them, called member satellites, which are prominently on the plane, do satisfy it. We suggest that this picture explaining the observed satellite plane can be achieved by the filamentary accretion of dark matter associated with the formation of the MW and a group infall of member satellites along this cosmic filament. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first detailed chemical-abundance analysis of stars from the dwarf-galaxy stellar stream Wukong/LMS-1 covering a wide metallicity range (⁠|$-3.5 \lt \rm [Fe/H] \lesssim -1.3$|⁠). We find abundance patterns that are effectively indistinguishable from the bulk of Indus and Jhelum, a pair of smaller stellar streams proposed to be dynamically associated with Wukong/LMS-1. We confirmed a carbon-enhanced metal-poor star (⁠|$\rm [C/Fe] \gt +0.7$| and |$\rm [Fe/H] \sim -2.9$|⁠) in Wukong/LMS-1 with strong enhancements in Sr, Y, and Zr, which is peculiar given its solar-level [Ba/Fe]. Wukong/LMS-1 stars have high abundances of α elements up to |$\rm [Fe/H] \gtrsim -2$|⁠ , which is expected for relatively massive dwarfs. Towards the high-metallicity end, Wukong/LMS-1 becomes α-poor, revealing that it probably experienced fairly standard chemical evolution. We identified a pair of N- and Na-rich stars in Wukong/LMS-1, reminiscent of multiple stellar populations in globular clusters. This indicates that this dwarf galaxy contained at least one globular cluster that was completely disrupted in addition to two intact ones previously known to be associated with Wukong/LMS-1, which is possibly connected to similar evidence found in Indus. From these ≥3 globular clusters, we estimate the total mass of Wukong/LMS-1 to be |${\approx }10^{10} \, \mathrm{M}_\odot$|⁠ , representing ∼1 per cent of the present-day Milky Way. Finally, the [Eu/Mg] ratio in Wukong/LMS-1 continuously increases with metallicity, making this the first example of a dwarf galaxy where the production of r -process elements is clearly dominated by delayed sources, presumably neutron-star mergers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halo occupation distribution (HOD) models help us to connect observations and theory, by assigning galaxies to dark matter haloes. In this work, we study one of the components of HOD models: the probability distribution function (PDF), which is used to assign a discrete number of galaxies to a halo, given a mean number of galaxies. For satellite galaxies, the most commonly used PDF is a Poisson Distribution. PDFs with super-Poisson variances have also been studied, allowing for continuous values of variances. This has not been the case for sub-Poisson variances, for which only the nearest integer distribution, with a single variance, has been used in the past. In this work, we propose a distribution based on the binomial one, which provides continuous sub-Poisson variances. We have generated mock galaxy catalogues from two dark-matter only simulations, unit and outerrim , with HOD models assuming different PDFs. We show that the variance of the PDF for satellite galaxies affects the one-halo term of the projected correlation function, and the count-in-cells (CIC) one point statistics. We fit the clustering of eBOSS emission line galaxies, finding results consistent with the literature, when we only vary the parameter controlling the PDF variance and the fraction of satellites. Using a mock catalogue as a reference, we have also included both the clustering and CIC to constrain the parameters of the HOD model. CIC can provide strong constraints to the PDF variance of satellite galaxies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clustering of galaxies and their connections to their initial conditions is a major means by which we learn about cosmology. However, the stochasticity between galaxies and their underlying matter field is a major limitation for precise measurements of galaxy clustering. Efforts have been made with an optimal weighting scheme to reduce this stochasticity using the mass-dependent clustering of dark matter haloes. Here, we show that this is not optimal. We demonstrate that the cosmic-web environments (voids, sheets, filaments, and knots) of haloes, when combined linearly with the linear bias, provide extra information for reducing stochasticity in terms of two-point statistics. Using the environmental information alone can increase the signal-to-noise of clustering by a factor of 3 better than the white-noise level at the scales of the baryon acoustic oscillations. The information about the environment and halo mass are complementary. Their combination increases the signal-to-noise by another factor of 2-3. The information about the cosmic web correlates with other properties of haloes, including halo concentrations and tidal forces – all are related to the assembly bias of haloes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Globular clusters are considered key objects for understanding the formation and evolution of the Milky Way. In this sense, the characterisation of their chemical and orbital parameters can provide constraints on chemical evolution models of the Galaxy. Aims. We use the heavy element abundances of globular clusters to trace their overall behaviour in the Galaxy, with the aim to analyse potential relations between the hot H-burning and s-process elements. Methods. We measured the content of Cu I and s- and r-process elements (Y II, Ba II, La II, and Eu II) in a sample of 210 giant stars in 18 galactic globular clusters from high-quality UVES spectra. These clusters span a broad metallicity range and the sample is the largest that has been uniformly analysed to date, with respect to heavy elements in globular clusters. Results. The Cu abundances did not show a considerable spread in the sample, nor any correlation with Na, indicating that the Na nucleosynthesis process does not affect the Cu abundance. Most GCs closely follow the Cu, Y, Ba, La, and Eu field stars' distribution, revealing a similar chemical evolution. The Y abundances in mid-metallicity regime GCs (−1.10 dex < [Fe/H] < −1.80 dex) display a mildly significant correlation with the Na abundance, which ought to be further investigated. Finally, we do not find any significant difference between the n-capture abundances among GCs with either Galactic and extragalactic origins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Hypervelocity stars (HVSs) unbound to the Galaxy can be formed with extreme stellar interactions, for example close encounters with supermassive black holes or in massive star clusters, supernova explosions in binary systems, or the stripping of dwarf galaxies. Observational evidence comes from measurements of radial velocities (RVs) of objects crossing the outer Galactic halo and of tangential velocities based on high proper motions (HPMs) and distances of relatively nearby stars. Aims. I searched for new nearby HVS candidates and reviewed known objects using their Gaia astrometric measurements. Methods. Candidates were selected with significant Gaia parallaxes of >0.1mas, proper motions of >20 mas yr−1, and computed galactocentric tangential velocities vtan_g>500 km s−1. The DR2 and DR3 samples of several thousand HVS candidates were studied with respect to their proper motions, sky distribution, number of observations, location in crowded fields, colour-magnitude diagrams, selection effects with magnitude, and RVs in DR3. The 72 most extreme (vtan_g>700 km s−1) and nearest (within 4kpc) DR3 HVS candidates were investigated with respect to detected close neighbours, flags, and astrometric quality parameters of objects of similar magnitudes in DR3. The quality checks involved HPM objects in a global comparison and all objects in the vicinity of each target. Results. Spurious HPMs in the Galactic centre region led to false HVS interpretations in Gaia DR2 and are still present in DR3, although to a lesser extent. Otherwise there is good agreement between the HPMs of HVS candidates in DR2 and DR3. However, HVS candidates selected from DR2 tend to have larger parallaxes, and hence lower tangential velocities in DR3. Most DR3 RVs are much lower than the tangential velocities, indicating that the DR3 HVS candidates are still affected by underestimated parallaxes. None of the 72 extreme nearby DR3 HVS candidates, including three D6 stars, passed all the quality checks. Their tangential velocities may turn out to be lower, but at least some of them still appear unbound to the Galaxy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the chemodynamical properties of tidal debris in the Milky Way, it has been inferred that the dwarf satellites that have been disrupted had different chemical abundances from their present-day counterparts of similar mass that survive today, specifically, they had lower [Fe/H] and higher [Mg/Fe]. Here we use the A rtemis simulations to study the relation between the chemical abundances of disrupted progenitors of MW-mass galaxies and their stellar mass, and the evolution of the stellar mass–metallicity relations (MZR) of this population with redshift. We find that these relations have significant scatter, which correlates with the accretion redshifts (z acc) of satellites, and with their cold gas fractions. We investigate the MZRs of dwarf populations accreted at different redshifts and find that they have similar slopes, and also similar with the slope of the MZR of the surviving population (≈0.32). However, the entire population of disrupted dwarfs displays a steeper MZR, with a slope of ≈0.48, which can be explained by the changes in the mass spectrum of accreted dwarf galaxies with redshift. We find strong relations between the (mass-weighted) 〈 z acc〉 of the disrupted populations and their global chemical abundances (〈[Fe/H]〉 and 〈[Mg/Fe]〉), which suggests that chemical diagnostics of disrupted dwarfs can be used to infer the types of merger histories of their hosts. For the case of the MW, our simulations predict that the bulk of the disrupted population was accreted at 〈 z acc〉 ≈ 2, in agreement with other findings. We also find that disrupted satellites form and evolve in denser environments, closer to their hosts, than their present-day counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milky Way globular clusters (GCs) display chemical enrichment in a phenomenon called multiple stellar populations (MSPs). While the enrichment mechanism is not fully understood, there is a correlation between a cluster's mass and the fraction of enriched stars found therein. However, present-day GC masses are often smaller than their masses at the time of formation due to dynamical mass-loss. In this work, we explore the relationship between mass and MSPs using the stellar stream 300S. We present the chemical abundances of eight red giant branch member stars in 300S with high-resolution spectroscopy from Magellan/MIKE. We identify one enriched star characteristic of MSPs and no detectable metallicity dispersion, confirming that the progenitor of 300S was a GC. The fraction of enriched stars (12.5 per cent) observed in our 300S stars is less than the 50 per cent of stars found enriched in Milky Way GCs of comparable present-day mass (∼104.5  |$\mathrm{\, {\rm M}_{\odot }}$|⁠). We calculate the mass of 300S's progenitor and compare it to the initial masses of intact GCs, finding that 300S aligns well with the trend between the system mass at formation and enrichment. 300S's progenitor may straddle the critical mass threshold for the formation of MSPs and can therefore serve as a benchmark for the stellar enrichment process. Additionally, we identify a CH star, with high abundances of s -process elements, probably accreted from a binary companion. The rarity of such binaries in intact GCs may imply stellar streams permit the survival of binaries that would otherwise be disrupted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze the photometric data in the Wide layer of the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program (HSC-SSP) over ∼1200 deg2 to uncover new halo substructures beyond the distance, D ⊙ ∼ 30 kpc, from the Sun. For this purpose, we develop an isochrone filter for an old, metal-poor stellar system to extract the faint main-sequence stars at a range of distances. With this method, we detect not only the previously discovered substructures such as the Orphan Stream, but also a new overdensity toward Boötes at about D ⊙ ∼ 60 kpc and a new stream-like feature toward Pisces at around D ⊙ ∼ 60 kpc. It has been suggested that a small-scale overdensity exists in this direction of Pisces (the so-called Pisces Overdensity), but our results show that the overdensity is widely spread with a tidally elongated feature. Combining our results with the ongoing Hyper Suprime-Cam narrow-band survey and the near-future spectroscopic survey with Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS) will allow us to place strong constraints on the origin of these halo substructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Galactic outflows are ubiquitous in galaxies containing active star formation or supermassive black hole activity. The presence of a large-scale outflow from the center of our own Galaxy was confirmed after the discovery of two large (~ 8–10 kpc) γ -ray bubbles using the Fermi-LAT telescope. These bubbles, known as the Fermi Bubbles, are highly symmetric about the Galactic disk as well as around the Galactic rotation axis and appear to emanate from the center of our Galaxy. The sharp edges of these bubbles suggest that they are related to the Galactic outflow. These bubbles are surrounded by two even bigger (~ 12–14 kpc) X-ray structures, known as the eROSITA bubbles. Together, they represent the characteristics of an outflow from the Galaxy into the circumgalactic medium. Multi-wavelength observations such as in radio, microwave, and UV toward the Fermi Bubbles have provided us with much information in the last decade. However, the origin and the nature of these bubbles remain elusive. In this review, I summarize the observations related to the Fermi/eROSITA Bubbles at different scales and wavelengths, and give a brief overview of our current understanding of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we look for evidence of a non-unity mass ratio binary dwarf galaxy merger in the Sagittarius stream. Simulations of such a merger show that, upon merging with a host, particles from the less massive galaxy will often mostly be found in the extended stream and less so in the central remnant. Motivated by these simulations, we use the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment Data Release 17 chemical data from approximately 1100 stars in both the Sagittarius remnant and stream to look for evidence of contamination from a second dwarf galaxy. We separate the Sagittarius data into its remnant and stream and compare the [Mg/Fe] content of the two populations. In particular, we select [Mg/Fe] to search for hints of unique star formation histories among our sample stars. Comparing the stream and remnant populations, we find regions that have distinct [Mg/Fe] distributions for fixed [Fe/H], in addition to distinct chemical tracks in [Mg/Fe]–[Fe/H] abundance space. We show that there are large regions of the tracks for which the probability of the two samples being drawn from the same distribution is very low (p < 0.05). Furthermore, we show that the two tracks can be fit with unique star formation histories using simple, one-zone galactic chemical evolution models. While more work must be done to discern whether the hypothesis presented here is true, our work hints at the possibility that Sagittarius may consist of two dwarf galaxy progenitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of a Fourier analysis of high-precision Kepler photometry of 75 double-mode RR Lyrae (RRd) stars observed during NASA's K2 Mission (2014-18) are presented. Seventy-two of the stars are 'classical' RRd (cRRd) stars lying along a well-defined curve in the Petersen diagram and showing no evidence of Blazhko modulations. The remaining three stars are 'anomalous' RRd (aRRd) stars that lie well below the cRRd curve in the Petersen diagram. These stars have larger fundamental-mode amplitudes than first-overtone amplitudes and exhibit Blazhko variations. Period-amplitude relations for the individual pulsation components of the cRRd stars are examined, as well as correlations involving Fourier phase-difference and amplitude-ratio parameters that characterize the light curves for the two radial modes. A simple statistical model relating the fundamental (P 0) and first-overtone (P 1) periods to [Fe/H] provides insight into the functional form of the Petersen diagram. A calibration equation for estimating [Fe/H]phot abundances of 'classical' RRd stars is derived by inverting the model and using 211 field and 57 globular cluster cRRd stars with spectroscopic metallicities to estimate the model coefficients. The equation is used to obtain [Fe/H]phot for the full sample of 72 K2 cRRd stars and for 2130 cRRd stars observed by the ESA Gaia Mission. Of the 49 K2 cRRd stars that are in the Gaia DR3 catalogue only five were found to be correctly classified, the remainder having been misclassified 'RRc' or 'RRab'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We derived the dust-to-H  i ratio of the intermediate-velocity clouds (IVCs), the high-velocity clouds (HVCs), and the local H  i gas, by carrying out a multiple-regression analysis of the 21 cm H  i emission combined with the sub-mm dust optical depth. The method covers over 80 per cent of the sky contiguously at a resolution of 47 arcmin and is distinguished from the absorption-line measurements toward bright galaxies and stars covering a tiny fraction of the sky. Major results include that the ratio of the IVCs is in a range of 0.1–1.5 with a mode at 0.6 (relative to the solar-neighbourhood value, likewise below) and that a significant fraction, ∼20 per cent, of the IVCs include dust-poor gas with a ratio of <0.5. It is confirmed that 50 per cent of the HVC Complex C has a ratio of <0.3, and that the Magellanic Stream has the lowest ratio with a mode at ∼0.1. The results prove that some IVCs have low metallicity gas, contrary to the previous absorption-line measurements. Considering that the recent works show that the IVCs are interacting and exchanging momentum with the high-metallicity Galactic halo gas, we argue that the high-metallicity gas contaminates a significant fraction of the IVCs. Accordingly, we argue that the IVCs include a significant fraction of the low-metallicity gas supplied from outside the Galaxy as an alternative to the Galactic-fountain model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite galaxies within the Milky Way's (MW's) virial radius R vir are typically devoid of cold gas due to ram pressure stripping by the MW's corona. The density of this corona is poorly constrained today and essentially unconstrained in the past, but can be estimated using ram pressure stripping. In this paper, we probe the MW's corona at z ≈ 1.6 using the Draco dwarf spheroidal galaxy. We assume that (i) Draco's orbit is determined by its interaction with the MW, whose dark matter halo we evolve in time following cosmologically motivated prescriptions, (ii) Draco's star formation was quenched by ram pressure stripping and (iii) the MW's corona is approximately smooth, spherical, and in hydrostatic equilibrium. We used Gaia proper motions to set the initial conditions and Draco's star formation history to estimate its past gas content. We found indications that Draco was stripped of its gas during the first pericentric passage. Using 3D hydrodynamical simulations at a resolution that enables us to resolve individual supernovae and assuming no tidal stripping, which we estimate to be a minor effect, we find a density of the MW corona ≥8 × 10−4 cm−3 at a radius ≈0.72 R vir. This provides evidence that the MW's corona was already in place at z ≈ 1.6 and with a higher density than today. If isothermal, this corona would have contained all the baryons expected by the cosmological baryon fraction. Extrapolating to today shows good agreement with literature constraints if feedback has removed ≲30 per cent of baryons accreted on to the halo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a chemo-dynamical analysis for 27 near main-sequence turnoff metal-poor stars, including 20 stars analysed for the first time. The sample spans a range in [Fe/H] from −2.5 to −3.6, with 44 per cent having [Fe/H]<−2.9. We derived chemical abundances for 17 elements, including strontium and barium. We derive Li abundances for the sample, which are in good agreement with the 'Spite Plateau' value. The lighter elements (Z < 30) generally agree well with those of other low-metallicity halo stars. This broadly indicates chemically homogeneous gas at the earliest times. We used the [Sr/Ba] versus [Ba/Fe] diagram to classify metal-poor stars into five populations based on their observed ratios. We find HE 0232 − 3755 to be a likely main r -process star, and HE 2214 − 6127 and HE 2332 − 3039 to be limited- r stars. CS30302-145, HE 2045 − 5057, and CD −24°17504 plausibly originated in long-disrupted early dwarf galaxies. We also find that the derived [Sr/H] and [Ba/H] values for CD −24°17504 are not inconsistent with the predicted yields of the s -process in massive rotating low-metallicity stars models. Further theoretical explorations will be helpful to better understand the earliest mechanisms and time scales of heavy element production for comparison with these and other observational abundance data. Finally, we investigate the orbital histories of our stars. Most display halo-like kinematics although three stars (CS 29504-018, HE 0223 − 2814, and HE 2133 − 0421) appear to be disc-like in nature. This confirms the extragalactic origin for CS 30302-145, HE 2045 − 5057, and, in particular, CD −24°17504 which likely originated from a small accreted stellar system as one of the oldest stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we construct the circular velocity curve of the Milky Way out to ∼30 kpc, providing an updated model of the dark matter density profile. We derive precise parallaxes for 120 309 stars with a data-driven model, using APOGEE DR17 spectra combined with Gaia DR3, 2MASS , and WISE photometry. At outer galactic radii up to 30 kpc, we find a significantly faster decline in the circular velocity curve compared to the inner parts. This decline is better fit with a cored Einasto profile with a slope parameter |$0.91^{+0.04}_{-0.05}$| than a generalized Navarro–Frenk–White (NFW) profile. The virial mass of the best-fitting dark matter halo profile is only |$1.81^{+0.06}_{-0.05}\times 10^{11}$| M⊙, significantly lower than what a generalized NFW profile delivers. We present a study of the potential systematics, affecting mainly large radii. Such a low mass for the Galaxy is driven by the functional forms tested, given that it probes beyond our measurements. It is found to be in tension with mass measurements from globular clusters, dwarf satellites, and streams. Our best-fitting profile also lowers the expected dark matter annihilation signal flux from the galactic centre by more than an order of magnitude, compared to an NFW profile-fit. In future work, we will explore profiles with more flexible functional forms to more fully leverage the circular velocity curve and observationally constrain the properties of the Milky Way's dark matter halo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RR Lyrae are a well-known class of pulsating horizontal branch stars widely used as tracers of old, metal-poor stellar populations. However, mounting observational evidence shows that a significant fraction of these stars may be young and metal-rich. Here, through detailed binary stellar evolution modelling, we show that all such metal-rich RR Lyrae can be naturally produced through binary interactions. Binary companions of these RR Lyrae stars formed through binary interactions partly strip their progenitor's envelopes during a preceding red giant phase. As a result, stripped horizontal branch stars become bluer than their isolated stellar evolution counterparts and thus end up in the instability strip. In contrast, in the single evolution scenario, the stars can attain such colours only at large age and low metallicity. While binary-made RR Lyrae can possess any ages and metallicities, their Galactic population is relatively young (1 – |$9\, {\rm Gyr}$|⁠) and dominated by the thin disc and the bulge. We show that Galactic RR Lyrae from binary evolution are produced at rates compatible with the observed metal-rich population and have consistent G -band magnitudes, Galactic kinematics, and pulsation properties. Furthermore, these systems dominate the RR Lyrae population in the solar neighbourhood. We predict that all metal-rich RR Lyrae have an A, F, G, or K-type companion with a long orbital period (⁠|$P \gtrsim 1000\, {\rm d}$|⁠). Observationally characterizing the orbital periods and masses of such stellar companions will provide valuable new constraints on mass and angular momentum-loss efficiency for Sun-like accretors and the nature of RR Lyrae populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on 4098 very metal poor (VMP) stars with six-dimensional phase-space and chemical information from Gaia Data Release 3 (DR3) and Large sky Area Multi-Object fiber Spectroscopic Telescope DR9 as tracers, we apply an unsupervised machine learning algorithm, shared nearest neighbour, to identify stellar groups in the action–energy (J–E) space. We detect seven previously known mergers in local samples, including Helmi Stream, Gaia-Sausage/Enceladus (GSE), metal-weak thick disc (MWTD), Pontus, Wukong, Thamnos, and I'itoi + Sequoia + Arjuna. According to energy, we further divide GSE and Wukong into smaller parts to explore the orbital characteristics of individual fragments. Similarly, the division of Thamnos is based on action. It can be found that the apocentric distances of GSE parts of high and medium energy levels are located at |$29.5\pm 3.6$| and |$13.0\pm 2.7\ {\rm kpc}$|⁠ , respectively, which suggests that GSE could account for breaks in the density profile of the Galactic halo at both ≈30 and 15–18 kpc. The VMP stars of MWTD move along prograde orbits with larger eccentricities than those of its more metal-rich stars, which indicates that the VMP part of MWTD may be formed by accreting with dwarf galaxies. Finally, we summarize all substructures discovered in our local VMP samples. Our results provide a reference for the formation and evolution of the inner halo of the Milky Way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observational studies are finding stars believed to be relics of the earliest stages of hierarchical mass assembly of the Milky Way (i.e. proto-galaxy). In this work, we contextualize these findings by studying the masses, ages, spatial distributions, morphology, kinematics, and chemical compositions of proto-galaxy populations from the 13 Milky Way (MW)-mass galaxies from the FIRE-2 cosmological zoom-in simulations. Our findings indicate that proto-Milky Way populations: (i) can have a stellar mass range between 1 × 108 < M⋆ < 2 × 1010 [M⊙], a virial mass range between 3 × 1010 < M⋆ < 6 × 1011 [M⊙], and be as young as 8 ≲ Age ≲ 12.8 [Gyr] (1 ≲ z ≲ 6); (ii) are pre-dominantly centrally concentrated, with |$\sim 50~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| of the stars contained within 5–10 kpc; (iii) on average show weak but systematic net rotation in the plane of the host's disc at z  = 0 (i.e. 0.25 ≲ 〈κ/κdisc〉 ≲ 0.8); (iv) present [α/Fe]-[Fe/H] compositions that overlap with the metal-poor tail of the host's old disc; and (v) tend to assemble slightly earlier in Local Group-like environments than in systems in isolation. Interestingly, we find that |$\sim 60~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| of the proto-Milky Way galaxies are comprised by 1 dominant system (1/5 ≲M⋆/M⋆, proto-MilkyWay≲ 4/5) and 4–5 lower mass systems (M⋆/M⋆, proto-MilkyWay≲ 1/10); the other |$\sim 40~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| are comprised by 2 dominant systems and 3–4 lower mass systems. These massive/dominant proto-Milky Way fragments can be distinguished from the lower mass ones in chemical-kinematic samples, but appear (qualitatively) indistinguishable from one another. Our results could help observational studies disentangle if the Milky Way formed from one or two dominant systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We employ a sample of 135 873 RR Lyrae stars (RRLs) with precise photometric-metallicity and distance estimates from the newly calibrated P –ϕ31– R 21–[Fe/H] and Gaia G band P – R 21–[Fe/H] absolute magnitude–metallicity relations of Li et al. combined with available proper motions from Gaia EDR3, and 6955 systemic radial velocities from Gaia DR3 and other sources, in order to explore the chemistry and kinematics of the halo of the Milky Way (MW). This sample is ideally suited for characterization of the inner- and outer-halo populations of the stellar halo, free from the bias associated with spectroscopically selected probes, and for estimation of their relative contributions as a function of Galactocentric distance. The results of a Gaussian mixture model analysis of these contributions are broadly consistent with other observational studies of the halo, and with expectations from recent MW simulation studies. We apply the hdbscan clustering method to the specific energies and cylindrical actions (E , Jr, Jϕ, J z ), identifying 97 dynamically tagged groups (DTGs) of RRLs, and explore their associations with recognized substructures of the MW. The precise photometric-distance determinations (relative distance errors on the order of 5 per cent or better), and the resulting high-quality determination of dynamical parameters, yield highly statistically significant (low) dispersions of [Fe/H] for the stellar members of the DTGs compared to random draws from the full sample, indicating that they share common star-formation and chemical histories, influenced by their birth environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most Milky Way dwarf galaxies are much less bound to their host than are relics of Gaia –Sausage–Enceladus and Sgr. These dwarfs are expected to have fallen into the Galactic halo less than 3 Gyr ago, and will therefore have undergone no more than one full orbit. Here, we have performed hydrodynamical simulations of this process, assuming that their progenitors are gas-rich, rotation-supported dwarfs. We follow their transformation through interactions with the hot corona and gravitational field of the galaxy. Our dedicated simulations reproduce the structural properties of three dwarf galaxies: Sculptor, Antlia II, and with somewhat a lower accuracy, Crater II. This includes reproducing their large velocity dispersions, which are caused by ram-pressure stripping and Galactic tidal shocks. Differences between dwarfs can be interpreted as due to different orbital paths, as well as to different initial conditions for their progenitor gas and stellar contents. However, we failed to suppress in a single orbit the rotational support of our Sculptor analogue if it is fully dark matter dominated. In addition, we have found that classical dwarf galaxies like Sculptor may have stellar cores sufficiently dense to survive the pericentre passage through adiabatic contraction. On the contrary, our Antlia II and Crater II analogues are tidally stripped, explaining their large sizes, extremely low surface brightnesses, and velocity dispersion. This modelling explains differences between dwarf galaxies by reproducing them as being at different stages of out-of-equilibrium stellar systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We perform SubHalo Abundance Matching (SHAM) studies on UNIT simulations with {σ, V ceil, v smear}-SHAM and {σ, V ceil, f sat}-SHAM. They are designed to reproduce the clustering on 5–30  |$\, {\, h^{-1}\, {\rm Mpc}}$| of luminous red galaxies (LRGs), emission-line galaxies (ELGs), and quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) at 0.4 < z < 3.5 from DESI (Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument) One Percent Survey. V ceil is the incompleteness of the massive host (sub)haloes and is the key to the generalized SHAM. v smear models the clustering effect of redshift uncertainties, providing measurements consistent with those from repeat observations. A free satellite fraction f sat is necessary to reproduce the clustering of ELGs. We find ELGs present a more complex galaxy–halo mass relation than LRGs reflected in their weak constraints on σ. LRGs, QSOs, and ELGs show increasing V ceil values, corresponding to the massive galaxy incompleteness of LRGs, the quenched star formation of ELGs and the quenched black hole accretion of QSOs. For LRGs, a Gaussian v smear presents a better profile for subsamples at redshift bins than a Lorentzian profile used for other tracers. The impact of the statistical redshift uncertainty on ELG clustering is negligible. The best-fitting satellite fraction for DESI ELGs is around 4 per cent, lower than previous estimations for ELGs. The mean halo mass log10(〈 M vir〉) in |${{\, h^{-1}\, \mbox{M}_\odot }}{}$| for LRGs, ELGs, and QSOs are 13.16 ± 0.01, 11.90 ± 0.06, and 12.66 ± 0.45, respectively. Our generalized SHAM algorithms facilitate the production of multitracer galaxy mocks for cosmological tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent discoveries of a supervirial hot phase of the Milky Way circumgalactic medium (CGM) have launched new questions regarding the multiphase structure of the CGM around the Galaxy. We use 1.05 Ms of archival Chandra /high-energy transmission grating observations to characterize highly ionized metal absorption at z  = 0 along the line of sight of the quasar NGC 3783. We detect two distinct temperature phases with T |$_1 = 5.83^{+0.15}_{-0.07}$| K, warm–hot virial temperature, and T |$_2=6.61^{+0.12}_{-0.06}$| K, hot supervirial temperature. The supervirial hot phase coexisting with the warm–hot virial phase has been detected in absorption along only two other sightlines and in one stacking analysis. There is scatter in temperature of the hot as well as warm–hot gas. Similar to previous observations, we detect supersolar abundance ratios of metals in the hot phase, with a Ne/O ratio 2σ above solar mixtures. These new detections continue the mystery of the mechanism behind the supervirial hot phase, but provide evidence that this is a true property of the CGM rather than an isolated observation. The supervirial CGM could hold the key to understanding the physical and chemical history of the Milky Way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the discovery of a faint radio filament near PSR J0538+2817 in the NVSS, CGPS, and the Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey data. This pulsar is plausibly associated with the supernova that gave rise to the Spaghetti nebula (Simeis 147). The structure is one-sided and appears to be almost aligned (within 17 degrees) with the direction of the pulsar's proper motion, but in contrast to the known cases of pulsar radio tails, it is located ahead of the pulsar. At the same time, this direction is also approximately (within 5 degrees) perpendicular to the axis of the extended non-thermal X-ray emission around the pulsar. No X-ray or optical emission is detected from the filament region, although the end point of the radio filament appears to be adjacent to a filament of Hα emission. We speculate that this structure might represent a filament connecting pulsar wind nebula (PWN) with the ambient interstellar medium filled with relativistic electrons escaping the pulsar nebula, i.e. a radio analogue of X-ray filaments of Guitar and Lighthouse PWNs and filaments of non-thermal radio emission in the Galactic Centre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates a hypothesis proposed in previous research relating neutron star (NS) mass and its dark matter (DM) accumulation. As DM accumulates, NS mass decreases, predicting lower NS masses toward the Galactic centre. Due to limited NSs data near the Galactic centre, we examine NSs located within DM clumps. Using the CLUMPY code simulations, we determine the DM clumps distribution, with masses from 10 to 108 M⊙ and scales from 10−3 to 10 kpc. These clumps' DM exhibit a peak at the centre, tapering toward the outskirts, resembling our Galaxy's DM distribution. We analyse these DM clumps' NS mass variations, considering diverse DM particle masses and galaxy types. We find relatively stable NS mass within 0.01 – 5 kpc from the clump centre. This stability supports the initial hypothesis, particularly for NSs located beyond 0.01 kpc from the clump centre, where NS mass reaches a plateau around 0.1 kpc. Nevertheless, NS mass near the clump's periphery reveals spatial dependence: NS position within DM clumps influences its mass in Milky Way-type galaxies. Moreover, this dependence varies with the DM model considered. In summary, our study investigates the proposed link between NS mass and DM accumulation by examining NSs within DM clumps. While NS mass remains stable at certain distances from the clump centre, spatial dependencies arise near the clump's outer regions, contingent on the specific DM model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Studies of the element abundances and kinematics of stars belonging to the Galactic halo have revealed the existence of two distinct populations: accreted stars with a low [α/Fe] ratio and in situ born stars with a higher ratio. Aims. Previous work on the abundances of C, O, Na, Mg, Si, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Zn in high-α and low-α halo stars is extended to include the abundances of Sc, V, and Co, enabling us to study the nucleosynthesis of all iron-peak elements along with the lighter elements. Methods. The Sc, V, and Co abundances were determined from a 1D MARCS model-atmosphere analysis of equivalent widths of atomic lines in high signal-to-noise, high resolution spectra assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE). In addition, new 3D and/or non-LTE calculations were used to correct the 1D LTE abundances for several elements including consistent 3D non-LTE calculations for Mg. Results. The two populations of accreted and in situ born stars are well separated in diagrams showing [Sc/Fe], [V/Fe], and [Co/Fe] as a function of [Fe/H]. The [X/Mg] versus [Mg/H] trends for high-α and low-α stars were used to determine the yields of core-collapse and Type Ia supernovae. The largest Type Ia contribution occurs for Cr, Mn, and Fe, whereas Cu is a pure core-collapse element. Sc, Ti, V, Co, Ni, and Zn represent intermediate cases. A comparison with yields calculated for supernova models shows poor agreement for the core-collapse yields. The Ia yields suggest that sub-Chandrasekhar-mass Type Ia supernovae provide a dominant contribution to the chemical evolution of the host galaxies of the low-α stars. A substructure in the abundances and kinematics of the low-α stars suggests that they arise from at least two different satellite accretion events, Gaia-Sausage-Enceladus and Thamnos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large spectroscopic surveys plus Gaia astrometry have shown us that the inner stellar halo of the Galaxy is dominated by the debris of Gaia Enceladus/Sausage (GES). With the richness of data at hand, there are a myriad of ways these accreted stars have been selected. We investigate these GES selections and their effects on the inferred progenitor properties using data constructed from APOGEE and Gaia. We explore selections made in eccentricity, energy-angular momentum (E-Lz), radial action-angular momentum (Jr-Lz), action diamond, and [Mg/Mn]-[Al/Fe] in the observations, selecting between 144 and 1279 GES stars with varying contamination from in-situ and other accreted stars. We also use the Auriga cosmological hydrodynamic simulations to benchmark the different GES dynamical selections. Applying the same observational GES cuts to nine Auriga galaxies with a GES, we find that the Jr-Lz method is best for sample purity and the eccentricity method for completeness. Given the average metallicity of GES (−1.28 < [Fe/H] < −1.18), we use the z  = 0 mass–metallicity relationship to find an average |$\rm M_{\star }$| of ∼4 × 108 M⊙. We adopt a similar procedure and derive |$\rm M_{\star }$| for the GES-like systems in Auriga and find that the eccentricity method overestimates the true |$\rm M_{\star }$| by ∼2.6 × while E-Lz underestimates by ∼0.7 ×. Lastly, we estimate the total mass of GES to be |$\rm 10^{10.5 - 11.1}~{\rm M}_{\odot }$| using the relationship between the metallicity gradient and the GES-to- in-situ energy ratio. In the end, we cannot just 'pick and choose' how we select GES stars, and instead should be motivated by the science question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RR Lyrae stars play a central role in tracing phase-space structures within the Milky Way because they are easy to identify, are relatively luminous, and are found in large numbers in the Galactic bulge, disc, and halo. In this work, we present a new set of spectroscopic metallicity calibrations that use the equivalent widths of the Ca  ii  K and Balmer H γ and H δ lines to calculate metallicity values from low-resolution spectra. This builds on an earlier calibration from Layden by extending the range of equivalent widths which map between Ca  ii  K and the Balmer lines. We have developed the software rrlfe to apply this calibration to spectra in a consistent, reproducible, and extensible manner. This software is open-source and available to the community. The calibration can be updated with additional data sets in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin of the cold phase in the circumgalactic medium (CGM) is a highly debated question. We investigate the contribution of satellite galaxies to the cold gas budget in the CGM of a Milky Way-like host galaxy. We perform controlled experiments with three different satellite mass distributions and identify several mechanisms by which satellites can add cold gas to the CGM, including ram pressure stripping and induced cooling in the mixing layer of the stripped cold gas. These two mechanisms contribute a comparable amount of cold gas to the host CGM. We find that the less massive satellites (≤109 M ⊙) not only lose all of their cold gas in a short period (∼ 0.5–1 Gyr), but their stripped cold clouds also mix with the hot CGM gas and get heated up quickly. However, stellar feedback from these less massive satellites can hugely alter the fate of their stripped gas. Feedback speeds up the destruction of the stripped cold clouds from these satellites by making them more diffuse with more surface area. On the other hand, the more massive satellites (LMC or SMC-like ∼1010 M ⊙) can add cold gas to the total gas budget of the host CGM for several Gyr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate how cosmic rays (CRs) affect thermal and hydrostatic stability of circumgalactic (CGM) gas, in simulations with both CR streaming and diffusion. Local thermal instability can be suppressed by CR-driven entropy mode propagation, in accordance with previous analytic work. However, there is only a narrow parameter regime where this operates, before CRs overheat the background gas. As mass dropout from thermal instability causes the background density and hence plasma β ≡ Pg / P B to fall, the CGM becomes globally unstable. At the cool disc-to-hot−halo interface, a sharp drop in density boosts Alfven speeds and CR gradients, driving a transition from diffusive to streaming transport. CR forces and heating strengthen, while countervailing gravitational forces and radiative cooling weaken, resulting in a loss of both hydrostatic and thermal equilibrium. In lower β haloes, CR heating drives a hot, single-phase diffuse wind with velocities v  ∝ (t heat/ t ff)−1, which exceeds the escape velocity when t heat/ t ff ≲ 0.4. In higher β haloes, where the Alfven Mach number is higher, CR forces drive multi-phase winds with cool, dense fountain flows and significant turbulence. These flows are CR dominated due to 'trapping' of CRs by weak transverse B-fields, and have the highest mass loading factors. Thus, local thermal instability can result in winds or fountain flows where either the heat or momentum input of CRs dominates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metal-poor stars in the Galactic halo are thought to show the imprints of the first (Pop III) stars, and thus provide a glance at the first episodes of star formation. In this work, we aim at understanding whether all very metal-poor stars formed in environments polluted by Pop III supernovae (SNe) and at what level. With a general parametric model for early metal enrichment, we study the chemical abundances (from C to Zn) of an environment imprinted by a single Pop III SN. We investigate how these abundances depend on the initial mass and internal mixing of Pop III stars, as well as on their SN explosion energy. We then study how subsequent generations of normal (Pop II) SNe affect the Pop III chemical signatures. By comparing the observed chemical abundances with our model predictions, we show that stars with [C/Fe] > +2.5 form in environments polluted purely by low-energy Pop III SNe (E SN < 2 × 1051 erg). At lower [C/Fe], stars can be imprinted either by Pop III only, or also by normal Pop II SNe. The probability of being enriched by Pop II SNe increases as [C/Fe] decreases. When Pop II stars contribute more to the pollution, they wash out the diverse chemical peculiarities left by the different Pop III SNe, and the chemical dispersion between their descendants decreases. We conclude that C-normal stars (⁠|$\rm [C/Fe] \le +0.7$|⁠) have likely been enriched by Pop II SNe at a |$\ge 50~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| level and we identify in the abundance scatter a key diagnostic to pinpoint the signature of Pop III SNe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations of the hot X-ray emitting interstellar medium in the Milky Way are important for studying the stellar feedback and for understanding the formation and evolution of galaxies. We present measurements of the soft X-ray background emission for 130 Suzaku observations at 75° < l < 285° and | b | > 15°. With the standard soft X-ray background model consisting of the local hot bubble and of the Milky Way halo, residual structures remain at 0.7–1 keV in the spectra of some regions. Adding a collisional-ionization-equilibrium component with a temperature of ∼0.8 keV, much higher than the virial temperature of the Milky Way, significantly reduces the derived C-statistic for 56 out of 130 observations. The emission measure of the 0.8 keV component varies by more than an order of magnitude: assuming the solar abundance, the median value is |$3 \times 10^{-4}\, \rm {cm^{-6}\ pc}$| and the 16th–84th percentile range is |$(1\!-\!8) \times 10^{-4}\, \rm {cm^{-6}\ pc}$|⁠. Regions toward the Orion–Eridanus superbubble, having a large cavity extending from the Ori OB1 association, have the highest emission measures of the 0.8 keV component. While the scatter is large, the emission measures tend to be higher toward lower galactic latitudes. We discuss possible biases caused by the solar wind charge exchange, stars, and background groups. The 0.8 keV component is probably heated by supernovae in the Milky Way disk, possibly related to Galactic fountains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gaia -Sausage/Enceladus (GS/E) structure is an accretion remnant that comprises a large fraction of the Milky Way's stellar halo. We study GS/E using high-purity samples of kinematically selected stars from APOGEE DR16 and Gaia. Employing a novel framework to account for kinematic selection biases using distribution functions, we fit density profiles to these GS/E samples and measure their masses. We find that GS/E has a shallow density profile in the inner Galaxy, with a break between 15 and 25 kpc beyond which the profile steepens. We also find that GS/E is triaxial, with axis ratios 1:0.55:0.45 (nearly prolate), and the major axis is oriented about 80° from the Sun–Galactic centre line and 16° above the plane. We measure a stellar mass for GS/E of |$1.45\, ^{+0.92}_{-0.51}\, \mathrm{(stat.)}\, ^{+0.13}_{-0.37} \mathrm{(sys.)}\ \times 10^{8}$| M⊙. Our mass estimate is lower than others in the literature, a finding we attribute to the excellent purity of the samples we work with. We also fit a density profile to the entire Milky Way stellar halo, finding a mass in the range of 6.7–8.4 × 108 M⊙, and implying that GS/E could make up as little as 15–25 per cent of the mass of the Milky Way stellar halo. Our lower stellar mass combined with standard stellar mass-to-halo mass relations implies that GS/E constituted a minor 1:8 mass-ratio merger at the time of its accretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faraday rotation measure (RM) is arguably the most practical observational tracer of magnetic fields in the diffuse circumgalactic medium (CGM). We sample synthetic Faraday rotation skies of Milky Way-like galaxies in TNG50 of the IllustrisTNG project by placing an observer inside the galaxies at a solar circle-like position. Our synthetic RM grids emulate specifications of current and upcoming surveys; the NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS), the Polarisation Sky Survey of the Universe's Magnetism (POSSUM), and a future Square Kilometre Array (SKA1-mid) polarization survey. It has been suggested that magnetic fields regulate the survival of high-velocity clouds. However, there is only a small number of observational detections of magnetized clouds thus far. In the first part of the paper, we test conditions for the detection of magnetized circumgalactic clouds. Based on the synthetic RM samplings of clouds in the simulations, we predict upcoming polarimetric surveys will open opportunities for the detection of even low-mass and distant clouds. In the second part of the paper, we investigate the imprint of the CGM in the all-sky RM distribution. We test whether the RM variation produced by the CGM is correlated with global galaxy properties, such as distance to a satellite, specific star formation rate, neutral hydrogen covering fraction, and accretion rate to the supermassive black hole. We argue that the observed fluctuation in the RM measurements on scales less than 1○, which has been considered an indication of intergalactic magnetic fields, might in fact incorporate a significant contribution of the Milky Way CGM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]