Constraining dwarf galaxy properties using tidal streams
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Authors
Shelton, Siddhartha
Issue Date
2018-12
Type
Electronic thesis
Thesis
Thesis
Language
ENG
Keywords
Physics
Alternative Title
Abstract
We have developed a method for estimating the properties of the progenitor dwarf galaxy from the tidal stream of stars that were ripped from it as it fell into the Milky Way. In particular, we show that the mass and radial profile of the progenitor dwarf galaxy of the Orphan Stream, including the stellar and dark matter components, can be reconstructed from the distribution of stars in the tidal tail it produced. This method can be used to estimate the dark matter content in dwarf galaxies without the assumption of virial equilibrium that is required to estimate the mass using line-of-sight velocities.
Description
December 2018
School of Science
School of Science
Full Citation
Publisher
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY