Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: Context.The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is the most luminous satellite galaxy of the Milky Way and, owing to its companion, the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), represents an excellent laboratory to study the interaction of dwarf galaxies. Aims.The aim of this study is to investigate the kinematics of the outer regions of the LMC by using stellar proper motions to understand the impact of interactions, for example with the SMC about 250 Myr ago. Methods.We calculate proper motions using multi-epochKs-band images from the VISTA survey of the Magellanic Cloud system (VMC). Observations span a time baseline of 2−5 yr. We combine the VMC data with data from theGaiaEarly Data Release 3 and introduce a new method to distinguish between Magellanic and Milky Way stars based on a machine learning algorithm. This new technique enables a larger and cleaner sample selection of fainter sources as it reaches below the red clump of the LMC. Results.We investigate the impact of the SMC on the rotational field of the LMC and find hints of stripped SMC debris. The south-eastern region of the LMC shows a slow rotational speed compared to the overall rotation.N-body simulations suggest that this could be caused by a fraction of stripped SMC stars located in that particular region that move opposite to the expected rotation.
Source: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Institutions: University of Potsdam, Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam, The University of Western Australia, International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, Macquarie University, European Southern Observatory, Keele University, Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte, National Institute for Astrophysics
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,580
OpenAlex ID: W4229377989