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At least 145 records · Page 8

Disturbed, diffuse, or just missing? A global study of the H I content of Hickson compact groups

Hickson compact groups (HCGs) are dense configurations of four to ten galaxies, whose H I morphology appears to follow an evolutionary sequence of three phases, with gas initially confined to galaxies, then significant amounts spread throughout the intra-group medium, and finally with almost no gas remaining in the galaxies themselves. It has also been suggested that several groups may harbour a diffuse H I component that is resolved out by interferometric observations. The H I deficiency of HCGs is expected to increase as the H I morphological phase progresses along the evolutionary sequence. If this is the case, H I deficiency would be a rough proxy for the age and evolutionary state of a HCG. We aim to test this hypothesis for the first time using a large sample of HCGs and to investigate the evidence for diffuse H I in HCGs. We performed a uniform reduction of all publicly available VLA H I observations (38 HCGs) with a purpose-built pipeline that also maximises the reproducibility of this study. The resulting H I data cubes were then analysed with the latest software tools to perform a manual separation of emission features into those belonging to galaxies and those extending into the intra-group medium. We thereby classified the H I morphological phase of each group as well as quantified their H I deficiency compared to galaxies in isolation. We find little evidence that H I deficiency can be used as a proxy for the evolutionary phase of a compact group in either of the first two phases, with the distribution of H I deficiency being consistent in both. However, for the final phase, the distribution clearly shifts to high H I deficiencies, with more than 90% of the expected H I content typically missing. Across all HCGs studied, we identify a few cases where there is strong evidence for a diffuse gas component in the intra-group medium, which might be detectable with improved observations. We also classify a new sub-phase where groups contain a lone H I -bearing galaxy, but are otherwise devoid of gas. The new morphological phase we have identified is likely the result of an evolved, gas-poor group acquiring a new, gas-rich member. The large spread of H I deficiencies in the first two morphological phases suggests that there is a broad range of initial H I content in HCGs, which is perhaps influenced by large-scale environment, and that the timescale for morphological changes is, in general, considerably shorter than the timescale for the destruction or consumption of neutral gas in these systems.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Searching for Conformity Across Cosmic Time with Local Group and Local Volume Star Formation Histories

Conformity denotes the correlation of properties between pairs of galaxies as a function of separation. Correlations between properties such as the star formation rate (SFR), stellar mass, and specific star formation rate (sSFR) have implications for the impact of environment upon galaxy formation and evolution. Conformity between primary galaxies and satellites within the same dark matter halo has been well documented in simulations and observations. However, the existence of conformity at greater distances—known as two-halo conformity—remains uncertain. We investigate whether galaxies in the Local Volume to a distance of 4 Mpc show conformity by examining the SFR, sSFR, stellar mass, and quenched fraction as a function of physical separation. Making use of the star formation histories of these galaxies, we then extend this analysis back in time to offer the first probe of conformity inside our past light cone. At the present day, we find that the stellar mass or sSFR of a galaxy correlates with the median SFR of neighboring galaxies at a separation of 2–3 Mpc. At a lookback time of 1 Gyr, we find a correlation with the quenched fraction of neighboring galaxies, again at a 2–3 Mpc separation. These signals of conformity likely arise from the differences between the recent star formation histories of Local Group dwarf galaxies and those outside the Local Group. As current and future missions including JWST, Rubin, and Roman expand the sample of Local Volume galaxies, tests of conformity using star formation histories will provide an important tool for exploring spatiotemporal correlations between galaxies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Late-formed haloes prefer to host quiescent central galaxies – I. Observational results

ABSTRACT The star formation and quenching of central galaxies are regulated by the assembly histories of their host haloes. In this work, we use the central stellar mass to halo mass ratio as a proxy of halo formation time, and we devise three different models, from the physical hydrodynamical simulation to the empirical statistical model, to demonstrate its robustness. With this proxy, we inferred the dependence of the central galaxy properties on the formation time of their host haloes using the SDSS main galaxy sample, where central galaxies are identified with the halo-based group finder. We found that central galaxies living in late-formed haloes have higher quiescent fractions and lower spiral fractions than their early-formed counterparts by $\lesssim 8~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ . Finally, we demonstrate that the group finding algorithm has a negligible impact on our results.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

SAGAbg. III. Environmental Stellar Mass Functions, Self-quenching, and the Stellar-to-halo Mass Relation in the Dwarf Galaxy Regime

Recent efforts have extended our view of the number and properties of satellite galaxies beyond the Local Group firmly down to M ⋆ ∼ 10 6 M ⊙ . A similarly complete view of the field dwarf population has lagged behind. Using the background galaxy sample from the Satellites Around Galactic Analogs (SAGA) survey at z < 0.05, we take inventory of the dwarf population down to M ⋆ ∼ 5 × 10 6 M ⊙ using three metrics: the stellar mass function (SMF) as a function of environment, the stellar-to-halo mass relation (SHMR) of dwarf galaxies inferred via abundance matching, and the quenched fraction of highly isolated dwarfs. We find that the low-mass SMF shape shows minimal environmental dependence, with the field dwarf SMF described by a low-mass power-law index of α 1 = −1.44 ± 0.09 down to M ⋆ ∼ 5 × 10 6 M ⊙ , and that the quenched fraction of isolated dwarfs drops monotonically to f q ∼ 10 −3 at M ⋆ ∼ 10 8.5 M ⊙ . Though slightly steeper than estimates from H I kinematic measures, our inferred SHMR agrees with literature measurements of satellite systems, consistent with minimal environmental dependence of the SHMR in the probed mass range. Finally, although most contemporary cosmological simulations against which we compare accurately predict the SAGAbg-SMF SHMR, we find that big-box cosmological simulations largely overpredict isolated galaxy quenched fractions via a turnaround in f q (M ⋆ ) at 10 8 ≲ M ⋆ /M ⊙ ≲ 10 9 , underscoring the complexities in disentangling the drivers of galaxy formation and the need for systematic multidimensional observations of the dwarf population across environments.

Kado-Fong, Erin [Yale Univ., New Haven, CT (United↗

Strong Lensing Model of SPT-CL J0356–5337, a Major Merger Candidate at Redshift 1.0359

We present an analysis of the mass distribution inferred from strong lensing by SPT-CL J0356-5337, a cluster of galaxies at redshift $z=1.0359$ revealed in the follow-up of the SPT-SZ clusters. The cluster has an Einstein radius of ${\theta }_{{\rm{E}}}\simeq $ 14'' for a source at z = 3 and a mass within 500 kpc of ${M}_{500\mathrm{kpc}}=4.0\pm 0.8\times {10}^{14}\,$ ${M}_{\odot }$ . Our spectroscopic identification of three multiply imaged systems ($z=2.363$, $z=2.364$, and $z=3.048$), combined with HSTF606W-band imaging allows us to build a strong lensing model for this cluster with an rms of $\leqslant 0\buildrel{\prime\prime}\over{.} 3$. Our modeling reveals a two-component mass distribution in the cluster. One mass component is dominated by the brightest cluster Galaxy and the other component, separated by ~170 kpc, contains a group of eight red elliptical galaxies confined in a ~9'' (~70 kpc) diameter circle. We estimate the mass ratio between the two components to be between 1:1.25 and 1:1.58. In addition, spectroscopic data reveal that these two near-equal mass cores have only a small velocity difference of ~300 km s-1 between the two components. This small radial velocity difference suggests that most of the relative velocity takes place in the plane of the sky, and implies that SPT-CL J0356-5337 is a major merger with a small impact parameter seen face-on. We also assess the relative contributions of Galaxy-scale halos to the overall mass of the core of the cluster and find that within 800 kpc from the brightest cluster Galaxy about 27% of the total mass can be attributed to visible and dark matter associated with galaxies, whereas only 73% of the total mass in the core comes from cluster-scale dark matter halos.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

An Extensive Catalog of Early-type Dwarf Galaxies in the Local Universe: Morphology and Environment

We present an extensive catalog of 5405 early-type dwarf (dE) galaxies located in the various environments, i.e., clusters, groups, and fields, of the local universe (z < 0.01). The dEs are selected through visual inspection of the Legacy survey's g–r–z combined tricolor images. The inspected area, covering a total sky area of 7643 deg 2 , encompasses two local clusters (Virgo and Fornax), 265 groups, and the regions around 586 field galaxies of M K < -21 mag. The catalog aims to be one of the most extensive and publicly accessible collections of data on dEs, despite its complex completeness limits, which may not accurately represent its statistical completeness. The strength of the catalog lies in the morphological characteristics, including nucleated, tidal, and ultradiffuse dEs. The two clusters contribute nearly half (2437 out of 5405) of the dEs, and the 265 groups contribute 2103 dEs. There are 864 dEs in 586 fields, i.e., ~1.47 dEs per field. Using a standard definition commonly used in literature, we identify 100 ultradiffuse galaxies (UDGs), which compose ~2% of the dE population. We find that 40% of our sample dEs harbor a central nucleus, and among the UDG population, a majority (79%) are nonnucleated. About 1.3% of dEs suffer from ongoing tidal disturbance by nearby massive galaxies, and only 0.03% show a sign of recent dwarf–dwarf mergers. The association between dEs and their nearest bright neighbor galaxies suggests that dEs are more likely created where their neighbors are non-star-forming ones.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The Preprocessing of Galaxies in the Early Stages of Cluster Formation in Abell 1882 at z = 0.139

A rare opportunity to distinguish between internal and environmental effects on galaxy evolution is afforded by "SuperGroups," systems that are rich and massive, but include several comparably rich substructures, surrounded by filaments. We present here a multiwavelength photometric and spectroscopic study of the galaxy population in the SuperGroup Abell 1882 (A1882) at z = 0.139, combining new data from the MMT and Hectospec with archival results from the Galaxy And Mass Assembly survey, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, the Nasa/IPAC Extragalactic Database, the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph, and the Galaxy Evolution Explorer. These provide spectroscopic classifications for 526 member galaxies, across wide ranges of local density and velocity dispersion. We identify three prominent filaments along which galaxies seem to be entering the SuperGroup (mostly in E–W directions). A1882 has a well-populated red sequence, containing most galaxies with stellar mass >10 10.5 M Sun , and a pronounced color–density relation even within its substructures. Thus, galaxy evolution responds to the external environment as strongly in these unrelaxed systems as we find in rich and relaxed clusters. From these data, local density remains the primary factor, with a secondary role for distance from the inferred center of the entire structure's potential well. The effects on star formation, as traced by optical and near-UV colors, depend on galaxy mass. We see changes in lower-mass galaxies (M < 10 10.5 M Sun ) at four times the virial radius of major substructures, while the more massive near-UV Green Valley galaxies show low levels of star formation within two virial radii. The suppression of star formation ("quenching") occurs in the infall regions of these structures even before the galaxies enter the denser group environment.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Exploring the stellar populations of backsplash galaxies

Backsplash galaxies are those that traverse and overshoot cluster cores as they fall into these structures. They are affected by environment, and should stand out in contrast to the infalling population. We target galaxies in the vicinity of clusters (R≳R 200 ) and select a sample in projected phase space (PPS), from the compilation of Sampaio et al. based on SDSS data. We present a statistical analysis, comparing two regions in PPS, with the same projected distance to the cluster but different velocity. The analysis relies on the presence of variations in the stellar population content of backsplash galaxies. We find a lower limit in the fractional contribution of ∼5 per cent with respect to the general sample of infalling galaxies at similar group-centric distance when using single line strength analysis, or ∼15-30 per cent when adopting bivariate distributions. The stellar populations show a subtle but significant difference towards older ages, and a higher fraction of quiescent galaxies. We also compare this set with a general field sample, where a substantially larger difference in galaxy properties is found, with the field sample being consistently younger, metal poorer and with a lower fraction of quiescent galaxies. Noting that our ‘cluster’ sample is located outside of the virial radius, we expect this difference to be caused by pre-processing of the infalling galaxies in the overall higher density regions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The stellar mass assembly of low-redshift, massive, central galaxies in SDSS and the TNG300 simulation

ABSTRACT The stellar mass assembly of galaxies can be affected by both secular and environmental processes. In this study, for the first time, we investigate the stellar mass assembly of $\sim 90\, 000$ low-redshift, central galaxies selected from SDSS group catalogues ($M_{\rm Stellar}\gtrsim 10^{9.5}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$, $M_{\rm Halo}\gtrsim 10^{12}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$) as a function of both stellar mass and halo mass. We use estimates of the times at which 10, 50, and 90 per cent of the stellar mass were assembled from photometric spectral energy distribution fitting, allowing a more complete investigation than single stellar ages alone. We consider trends in both stellar mass and halo mass simultaneously, finding dependences of all assembly times on both. We find that galaxies with higher stellar masses (at constant halo mass) have on average older lookback times, similar to previous studies of galaxy assembly. We also find that galaxies at higher halo mass (at constant stellar mass) have younger lookback times, possibly due to a larger reservoir of gas for star formation. An exception to this is a subsample with high stellar-to-halo mass ratios, which are likely massive, field spirals. We compare these observed trends to those predicted by the TNG300 simulation, finding good agreement overall as a function of either stellar mass or halo mass. However, some differences in the assembly times (of up to ∼3 Gyr) appear when considering both stellar mass and halo mass simultaneously, noticeably at intermediate stellar masses (MStellar ∼ 1011 M⊙). These discrepancies are possibly linked to the quenched fraction of galaxies and the kinetic mode active galactic nucleus feedback implemented in TNG300.

Jackson, Thomas M.↗

3-3-1 Self interacting dark matter and the galaxy core-cusp problem

The core–cusp problem remains a challenging discrepancy between observations and simulations in the standard Λ CDM model for the formation of galaxies. The problem is that Λ CDM simulations predict a steep power-law mass density profile at the center of galactic dark matter halos. However, observations of dwarf galaxies in the Local Group reveal a density profile consistent with a nearly flat distribution of dark matter near the center. A number of solutions to this dilemma have been proposed. In this paper we summarize investigations into the possibility that the dark matter particles themselves self interact and scatter. Such self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) particles can smooth out the dark-matter profile in high-density regions. We also review the theoretical proposal that self-interacting dark matter may arise as an additional Higgs scalar in the 3–3–1 extension of the Standard Model (SM). We present new simulations of galaxy formation and evolution for this formulation of self-interacting dark matter. Current constraints on this self-interacting dark matter are then summarized.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

The DECam MAGIC Survey: A Wide-field Photometric Metallicity Study of the Sculptor Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy

The metallicity distribution function (MDF) and internal chemical variations of a galaxy are fundamental to understand its formation and assembly history. In this work, we analyze photometric metallicities for 3883 stars over 7 half-light radii (rh) in the Sculptor (Scl) dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxy, using new narrowband imaging data from the Mapping the Ancient Galaxy in CaHK (MAGIC) survey conducted with the Dark Energy Camera (DECam) at the 4 m Blanco Telescope. This work demonstrates the scientific potential of MAGIC using the Scl dSph galaxy, one of the most well-studied satellites of the Milky Way. Our sample ranges from [Fe/H] ≈ –4.0 to [Fe/H] ≈ –0.6, includes six new extremely metal-poor candidates ([Fe/H] ≤ –3.0), and is almost 3 times larger than the largest spectroscopic metallicity data set in the Scl dSph. Our spatially unbiased sample of metallicities provides a more accurate representation of the MDF, revealing a more metal-rich peak than observed in the most recent spectroscopic sample. It also reveals a break in the metallicity gradient, with a strong change in the slope: from −3.26 ± 0.18 dex deg −1 for stars inside ∼1 rh to −0.55 ± 0.26 dex deg −1 for the outer part of the Scl dSph. Our study demonstrates that combining photometric metallicity analysis with the wide field of view of DECam offers an efficient and unbiased approach for studying the stellar populations of dwarf galaxies in the Local Group.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

SIT 45: An interacting, compact, and star-forming isolated galaxy triplet

The underlying scenario of the formation and evolution of galaxy triplets is still uncertain. Mergers of galaxies in isolated triplets give us the opportunity to study the already complex merging process, with minimal contamination of other environmental effects that potentially allow and accelerate galaxy transitions from active star-forming to passive galaxies. The merging system SIT 45 (UGC 12589) is one of 315 systems in the SDSS-based catalogue of Isolated Triplets (SIT); it is an unusual isolated galaxy triplet, consisting of three merging late-type galaxies. The main aims of this work are to study the dynamical evolution and star formation history (SFH) of SIT 45, as well as its dependence on its local and large-scale environment. Methods. To study its dynamics, parameters such as the velocity dispersion (σ v ), the harmonic radius (R H ), the crossing time (H 0 t c ), and the virial mass (M vir ), along with the compactness of the triplet (S) were considered. To investigate the possible dependence of these dynamical parameters on the environment, the tidal force Q parameters (both local and large-scale) and the projected local density (η k ) were used. To constrain the SFH, we used CIGALE to fit its observed spectral energy distribution using multiwavelength data from the ultraviolet to the infrared. SIT 45 is one of the most compact triplets in the SIT, and it is also more compact than triplets in other samples. According to its SFH, SIT 45 presents star formation, where the galaxies also present recent (~200 Myr) star formation increase, indicating that this activity may have been triggered by the interaction. Its dynamical configuration suggests that the system is highly evolved in comparison to the SIT. However, this is not expected for systems composed of star-forming late-type galaxies, based on observations in compact groups. We conclude that SIT 45 is a system of three interacting galaxies that are evolving within the same dark matter halo; its compact configuration is a consequence of the ongoing interaction rather than being due to a long-term evolution (as suggested from its H 0 t c value). We consider two scenarios for the present configuration of the triplet, one where one of the members is a tidal galaxy, and another where this galaxy arrives to the system after the interaction. Both scenarios need further exploration. The isolated triplet SIT 45 is therefore an ideal system to study short timescale mechanisms (~10 8 yr), such as starbursts triggered by interactions which are more frequent at higher redshift.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Thallium-208: A Beacon of In Situ Neutron Capture Nucleosynthesis

Here, we demonstrate that the well-known 2.6 MeV gamma-ray emission line from thallium-208 could serve as a real-time indicator of astrophysical heavy element production, with both rapid (r) and intermediate (i) neutron capture processes capable of its synthesis. We consider the r process in a Galactic neutron star merger and show Tl-208 to be detectable from ~12 hours to ~ten days, and again ~1–20 years postevent. Detection of Tl-208 represents the only identified prospect for a direct signal of lead production (implying gold synthesis), arguing for the importance of future MeV telescope missions which aim to detect Galactic events but may also be able to reach some nearby galaxies in the Local Group.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

RR Lyrae Stars in the Newly Discovered Ultra-faint Dwarf Galaxy Centaurus I*

We report the detection of three RR Lyrae (RRL) stars (two RRc and one RRab) in the ultra-faint dwarf (UFD) galaxy Centaurus I (Cen I) and two Milky Way (MW) δ Scuti/SX Phoenicis stars based on multi-epoch giz DECam observations. The two RRc stars are located within two times the half-light radius (r $_{h}$) of Cen I, while the RRab star (CenI-V3) is at ∼6 r $_{h}$. The presence of three distant RRL stars clustered this tightly in space represents a 4.7σ excess relative to the smooth distribution of RRL in the Galactic halo. Using the newly detected RRL stars, we obtain a distance modulus to Cen I of μ $_{0}$ = 20.354 ± 0.002 mag (σ = 0.03 mag), a heliocentric distance of D $_{⊙}$ = 117.7 ± 0.1 kpc (σ = 1.6 kpc), with systematic errors of 0.07 mag and 4 kpc. The location of the Cen I RRL stars in the Bailey diagram is in agreement with other UFD galaxies (mainly Oosterhoff II). Finally, we study the relative rate of RRc+RRd (RRcd) stars (f $_{cd}$) in UFD and classical dwarf galaxies. The full sample of MW dwarf galaxies gives a mean of f $_{cd}$ = 0.28. While several UFD galaxies, such as Cen I, present higher RRcd ratios, if we combine the RRL populations of all UFD galaxies, the RRcd ratio is similar to the one obtained for the classical dwarfs (f $_{cd}$ ∼ 0.3). Therefore, there is no evidence for a different fraction of RRcd stars in UFD and classical dwarf galaxies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Resolved Dwarf Galaxy Searches within ~5 Mpc with the Vera Rubin Observatory and Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam*

We present a preview of the faint dwarf galaxy discoveries that will be possible with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam in the next decade. In this work, we combine deep ground-based images from the Panoramic Imaging Survey of Centaurus and Sculptor (PISCeS) and extensive image simulations to investigate the recovery of faint, resolved dwarf galaxies in the Local Volume with a matched-filter technique. We adopt three fiducial distances - 1.5, 3.5, 5 Mpc, and quantitatively evaluate the effects on dwarf detection of varied stellar backgrounds, ellipticity, and Milky Way foreground contamination and extinction. We show that our matched-filter method is powerful for identifying both compact and extended systems, and near-future surveys will be able to probe at least ~4.5 mag below the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) for a distance of up to 1.5 Mpc, and ~2 mag below the TRGB at 5 Mpc. This will push the discovery frontier for resolved dwarf galaxies to fainter magnitudes, lower surface brightnesses, and larger distances. Our simulations show the secure census of dwarf galaxies down to $M_{V}$$\approx$-5, -7, -8, will be soon within reach, out to 1.5 Mpc, 3.5 Mpc, and 5 Mpc, respectively, allowing us to quantify the statistical fluctuations in satellite abundances around hosts, and parse environmental effects as a function of host properties.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Variable Stars in the Giant Satellite Galaxy Antlia 2

We report 350 pulsating variable stars found in four DECam fields (~12 deg 2 ) covering the Antlia 2 satellite galaxy. The sample of variables includes 318 RR Lyrae stars and eight anomalous Cepheids in the galaxy. Reclassification of several objects designated previously to be RR Lyrae as anomalous Cepheids get rid of the satellite's stars intervening along the line of sight. This in turn removes the need for prolific tidal disruption of the dwarf, in agreement with the recently updated proper motion and pericenter measurements based on Gaia EDR3. There are also several bright foreground RR Lyrae stars in the field, and two distant background variables located ~45 kpc behind Antlia 2. We found RR Lyrae stars over the full search area, suggesting that the galaxy is very large and likely extends beyond our observed area. The mean period of the RRab in Antlia 2 is 0.599 days, while the RRc have a mean period of 0.368 days, indicating the galaxy is an Oosterhoff-intermediate system. The distance to Antlia 2 based on the RR Lyrae stars is 124.1 kpc (μ 0 = 20.47) with a dispersion of 5.4 kpc. We measured a clear distance gradient along the semimajor axis of the galaxy, with the southeast side of Antlia 2 being ~13 kpc farther away from the northwest side. This elongation along the line of sight is likely due to the ongoing tidal disruption of Ant 2.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Proper Motions, Orbits, and Tidal Influences of Milky Way Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies

We combine Gaia early data release 3 astrometry with accurate photometry and utilize a probabilistic mixture model to measure the systemic proper motion of 52 dwarf spheroidal (dSph) satellite galaxies of the Milky Way (MW). For the 46 dSphs with literature line-of-sight velocities we compute orbits in both a MW and a combined MW + Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) potential and identify Car II, Car III, Hor I, Hyi I, Phx II, and Ret II as likely LMC satellites. 40% of our dSph sample has a >25% change in pericenter and/or apocenter with the MW + LMC potential. For these orbits, we use a Monte Carlo sample for the observational uncertainties for each dSph and the uncertainties in the MW and LMC potentials. We predict that Ant II, Boo III, Cra II, Gru II, and Tuc III should be tidally disrupting by comparing each dSph's average density relative to the MW density at its pericenter. dSphs with large ellipticity (CVn I, Her, Tuc V, UMa I, UMa II, UMi, Wil 1) show a preference for their orbital direction to align with their major axis even for dSphs with large pericenters. We compare the dSph radial orbital phase to subhalos in MW-like N-body simulations and infer that there is not an excess of satellites near their pericenter. With projections of future Gaia data releases, we find that dSph's orbital precision will be limited by uncertainties in the distance and/or MW potential rather than in proper motion precision. Finally, we provide our membership catalogs to enable community follow-up.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗