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A recent merger in the Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 November 2005

Matthew G. Coleman
Affiliation:
Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Mount Stromlo Observatory, Cotter Road, Weston, ACT, 2611, Australia email: coleman@mso.anu.edu.au
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Abstract

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This contribution describes a recent photometric survey of the Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy. CCD photometry in two colours (V and I) was obtained for a 10 degree$^2$ region centred on Fornax. By selecting stars sharing the colour-magnitude space of this system's RGB, we were able to remove the majority of field stars, and thereby probe the structure of Fornax at a previously unattained level. The data indicate that this dwarf galaxy contains two shells, both aligned with the Fornax major axis. Also, two ‘lobed’ structures sharing the alignment of these shells were discovered beyond the nominal tidal radius. These structures appear to be the remnant of a companion dwarf galaxy which merged with Fornax approximately 2 Gyr ago.

Type
Contributed Papers
Copyright
© 2005 International Astronomical Union