Repositorio Institucional Académico. Universidad Andrés Bello. Chile

Examinando por Autor "Minniti, Dante"

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A comparative analysis of the chemical compositions of Gaia-Enceladus/Sausage and Milky Way satellites using APOGEE
(Oxford University Press, 2023-03) Fernandes, Laura; Mason, Andrew CHorta, Danny; Schiavon, Ricardo P; Hayes, Christian; Hasselquist, Sten; Feuillet, Diane; Beaton, Rachael L; Jönsson, Henrik; Kisku, Shobhit; Lacerna, Ivan; Lian, Jianhui; Minniti, Dante; Villanova, Sandro
We use data from the 17th data release of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE 2) to contrast the chemical composition of the recently discovered Gaia Enceladus/Sausage system (GE/S) to those of 10 Milky Way (MW) dwarf satellite galaxies: LMC, SMC, Boötes I, Carina, Draco, Fornax, Sagittarius, Sculptor, Sextans, and Ursa Minor. Our main focus is on the distributions of the stellar populations of those systems in the [Mg/Fe]-[Fe/H] and [Mg/Mn]-[Al/Fe] planes, which are commonly employed in the literature for chemical diagnosis and where dwarf galaxies can be distinguished from in situ populations. We show that, unlike MW satellites, a GE/S sample defined purely on the basis of orbital parameters falls almost entirely within the locus of 'accreted' stellar populations in chemical space, which is likely caused by an early quenching of star formation in GE/S. Due to a more protracted history of star formation, stars in the metal-rich end of the MW satellite populations are characterized by lower [Mg/Mn] than those of their GE/S counterparts. The chemical compositions of GE/S stars are consistent with a higher early star formation rate (SFR) than MW satellites of comparable and even higher mass, suggesting that star formation in the early universe was strongly influenced by other parameters in addition to mass. We find that the direction of the metallicity gradient in the [Mg/Mn]-[Al/Fe] plane of dwarf galaxies is an indicator of the early SFR of the system. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Astronomical Society.
A machine learned classifier for RR Lyrae in the VVV survey
(EDP Sciences, 2016-11) Elorrieta, Felipe; Eyheramendy, Susana; Jordán, Andrés; Dékány, István; Catelan, Márcio; Angeloni, Rodolfo; Alonso-García, Javier; Contreras-Ramos, Rodrigo; Gran, Felipe; Hajdu, Gergely; Espinoza, Néstor; Saito, Roberto K.; Minniti, Dante
Variable stars of RR Lyrae type are a prime tool with which to obtain distances to old stellar populations in the Milky Way. One of the main aims of the Vista Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) near-infrared survey is to use them to map the structure of the Galactic Bulge. Owing to the large number of expected sources, this requires an automated mechanism for selecting RR Lyrae, and particularly those of the more easily recognized type ab (i.e., fundamental-mode pulsators), from the 106−107 variables expected in the VVV survey area. In this work we describe a supervised machine-learned classifier constructed for assigning a score to a Ks-band VVV light curve that indicates its likelihood of being ab-type RR Lyrae. We describe the key steps in the construction of the classifier, which were the choice of features, training set, selection of aperture, and family of classifiers. We find that the AdaBoost family of classifiers give consistently the best performance for our problem, and obtain a classifier based on the AdaBoost algorithm that achieves a harmonic mean between false positives and false negatives of ≈7% for typical VVV light-curve sets. This performance is estimated using cross-validation and through the comparison to two independent datasets that were classified by human experts.
A new galactic bulge globular cluster from the vvv survey
(Universidad Andrés Bello, 2019) Chijani Saballa, Matías; Minniti, Dante; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; Departamento de Ciencias Físicas
El VVV es uno de los surveys contemporáneos que opera en el infrarrojo cercano, observa la MW y sectores aledaños en 5 bandas distintas. Uno de sus objetivos es completar el catálogo de cúmulos globulares de distinta población estelar. Usando los datos del VVV, 2MASS, WISE y Gaia analizamos la fotometría en un radio de 3 arcmin desde el centro del cumulo, examinamos su DCM en las bandas J-Ks. Trataremos de confirmar un nuevo cúmulo globular en el infrarrojo cercano, altamente enrojecido, de edad 11 𝐺𝑦𝑟 que esta a una distancia aproximadamente de 7𝑘𝑝𝑐. De este cúmulo obtuvimos sus parámetros fundamentales como la distancia, edad, metalicidad, luminosidad y radio usando el método de ajustar isócronas en el DCM. Sera necesario estudios a futuro para acelerar el proceso de confirmación de este cumulo, será necesario otras técnicas de medición para la distancia y descontaminación de estrellas.
AGN candidates in the VVV near-IR galaxy catalogue
(2023-04) Baravalle, Laura D.; Schmidt, Eduardo O.; Victoria Alonso M.; Pichel, Ana; Minniti, Dante; Rodríguez-Kamenetzky, Adriana R.; Masetti, Nicola; Villalon, Carolina; Smith, Leigh C.; Lucas, Philip W.
The goal of this work is to search for Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) in the Galactic disc at very low latitudes with |b| < 2◦. For this, we studied the five sources from the VVV near-infrared (IR) galaxy catalogue that have also WISE counterparts and present variability in the VIrac VAriable Classification Ensemble (VIVACE) catalogue. In the near-IR colour-colour diagrams, these objects have in general redder colours compared to the rest of the sources in the field. In the mid-IR ones, they are located in the AGN region, however, there is a source that presents the highest interstellar extinction and different mid-IR colours to be a young stellar object (YSO). We also studied the source variability using two different statistical methods. The fractional variability amplitude σrms ranges from 12.6 to 33.8, being in concordance with previous results found for type-1 AGNs. The slopes of the light curves are in the range (2.6-4.7) × 10-4 mag d-1, also in agreement with results reported on quasars variability. The combination of all these results suggest that four galaxies are type-1 AGN candidates, whereas the fifth source likely a YSO candidate. © 2023 The Author(s) Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Astronomical Society.
APOGEE chemical abundance patterns of the massive milky way satellites
(IOP Publishing Ltd, 2021-12) Hasselquist, Sten; Hayes, Christian R; Lian, Jianhui; Weinberg, David H.; Zasowski, Gail; Horta, Danny; Beaton, Rachael; Feuillet, Diane K.; Garro, Elisa R.; Gallart, Carme; Smith, Verne V.; Holtzman, Jon A.; Minniti, Dante; Lacerna, Ivan; Shetrone, Matthew; Jönsson, Henrik; Cioni, Maria-Rosa L.; Fillingham, Sean P.; Cunha, Katia; O'Connell, Robert; Fernández-Trincado, José G.; Munoz, Ricardo R.; Schiavon, Ricardo; Almeida, Andres; Anguiano, Borja; Beers, Timothy C.; Bizyaev, Dmitry; Brownstein, Joel R.; Cohen, Roger E.; Frinchaboy, Peter; García-Hernández, D.A.; Geisler, Doug; Lane, Richard R.; Majewski, Steven R; Nidever, David L.; Nitschelm, Christian; Povick, Joshua; Price-Whelan, Adrian; Roman-Lopes, Alexandre; Rosado, Margarita; Sobeck, Jennifer; Stringfellow, Guy; Valenzuela, Octavio; Villanova, Sandro; Vincenzo, Fiorenzo
The SDSS-IV Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) survey has obtained high resolution spectra for thousands of red giant stars distributed among the massive satellite galaxies of the Milky Way (MW): the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (LMC/SMC), the Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy (Sgr), Fornax (Fnx), and the now fully disrupted Gaia Sausage/Enceladus (GSE) system. We present and analyze the APOGEE chemical abundance patterns of each galaxy to draw robust conclusions about their star formation histories, by quantifying the relative abundance trends of multiple elements (C, N, O, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Fe, Ni, and Ce), as well as by fitting chemical evolution models to the [α/Fe]–[Fe/H] abundance plane for each galaxy. Results show that the chemical signatures of the starburst in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs) observed by Nidever et al. in the α-element abundances extend to C+N, Al, and Ni, with the major burst in the SMC occurring some 3–4 Gyr before the burst in the LMC. We find that Sgr and Fnx also exhibit chemical abundance patterns suggestive of secondary star formation epochs, but these events were weaker and earlier (∼5–7 Gyr ago) than those observed in the MCs. There is no chemical evidence of a second starburst in GSE, but this galaxy shows the strongest initial star formation as compared to the other four galaxies. All dwarf galaxies had greater relative contributions of AGB stars to their enrichment than the MW. Comparing and contrasting these chemical patterns highlight the importance of galaxy environment on its chemical evolution.
APOGEE Chemical Abundances of the Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy
(Institute of Physics Publishing, 2017-09) Hasselquist, Sten; Shetrone, Matthew; Smith, Verne; Holtzman, Jon; McWilliam, Andrew; Fernández-Trincado J.G.; Beers, Timothy C.; Majewski, Steven R.; Nidever, David L.; Tang, Baitian; Tissera, Patricia B.; Alvar, Emma Fernández; Allende Prieto, Carlos; Almeida, Andres; Anguiano, Borja; Battaglia, Giuseppina; Carigi, Leticia; Delgado Inglada, Gloria; Frinchaboy, Peter; Garcia-Hernández D.A.; Geisler, Doug; Minniti, Dante; Placco, Vinicius M.; Schultheis, Mathias; Sobeck, Jennifer; Villanova, Sandro
The Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment provides the opportunity of measuring elemental abundances for C, N, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni in vast numbers of stars. We analyze thechemical-abundance patterns of these elements for 158 red giant stars belonging to the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy (Sgr). This is the largest sample of Sgr stars with detailed chemical abundances, and it is the first time that C, N, P, K, V, Cr, Co, and Ni have been studied at high resolution in this galaxy. We find that the Sgr stars with [Fe/H] ≈ -0.8 are deficient in all elemental abundance ratios (expressed as [X/Fe]) relative to the Milky Way, suggesting that the Sgr stars observed today were formed from gas that was less enriched by Type II SNe than stars formed in the Milky Way. By examining the relative deficiencies of the hydrostatic (O, Na, Mg, and Al) and explosive (Si, P, K, and Mn) elements, our analysis supports the argument that previous generations of Sgr stars were formed with a top-light initial mass function, one lacking the most massive stars that would normally pollute the interstellar medium with the hydrostatic elements. We use a simple chemical-evolution model, flexCE, to further support our claim and conclude that recent stellar generations of Fornax and the Large Magellanic Cloud could also have formed according to a top-light initial mass function. © 2017. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved..
APOGEE-2S Mg-Al anti-correlation of the metal-poor globular cluster NGC 2298
(EDP Sciences, 2022-06-01) Baeza, Ian; Fernández-Trincado, José G.; Villanova, Sandro; Geisler, Doug; Minniti, Dante; Garro, Elisa R.; Barbuy, Beatriz; Beers, Timothy C.; Lane, Richard R.
We present detailed elemental abundances and radial velocities of stars in the metal-poor globular cluster (GC) NGC 2298, based on near-infrared high-resolution (R 22-500) spectra of 12 members obtained during the second phase of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE-2) at Las Campanas Observatory as part of the seventeenth Data Release (DR 17) of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV (SDSS-IV). We employed the Brussels Automatic Code for Characterizing High accuracy Spectra (BACCHUS) software to investigate abundances for a variety of species including α elements (Mg, Si, and Ca), the odd-Z element Al, and iron-peak elements (Fe and Ni) located in the innermost regions of NGC 2298. We find a mean and median metallicity [Fe/H 1.76 and 1.75, respectively, with a star-to-star spread of 0.14 dex, which is compatible with the internal measurement errors. Thus, we find no evidence for an intrinsic [Fe/H] abundance spread in NGC 2298. The typical α-element enrichment in NGC 2298 is overabundant relative to the Sun, and it follows the trend of other metal-poor GCs. We confirm the existence of an Al-enhanced population in this cluster, which is clearly anti-correlated with Mg, indicating the prevalence of the multiple-population phenomenon in NGC 2298. © ESO 2022
APOGEE-2S view of the globular cluster Patchick 125 (Gran 3): New metallicity and elemental abundances from high-resolution spectroscopy
(Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2022) Fernández-Trincado, José G.; Minniti, Dante; Garro, Elisa R.; Villanova, Sandro
We present detailed elemental abundances, radial velocity, and orbital elements for Patchick 125, a recently discovered metal-poor globular cluster (GC) in the direction of the Galactic bulge. Near-infrared high-resolution (R ∼ 22 500) spectra of two members were obtained during the second phase of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment at Las Campanas Observatory as part of the sixteenth Data Release (DR 16) of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We investigated elemental abundances for four chemical species, including α-(Mg, Si), Fe-peak (Fe), and odd-Z (Al) elements. We find a metallicity covering the range from [Fe/H] =-1.69 to-1.72, suggesting that Patchick 125 likely exhibits a mean metallicity [Fe/H] ∼-1.7, which represents a significant increase in metallicity for this cluster compared to previous low-resolution spectroscopic analyses. We also found a mean radial velocity of 95.9 km s-1, which is ∼21.6 km s-1 higher than reported in the literature. The observed stars exhibit an α-enrichment ([Mg/Fe] 0.20, and [Si/Fe] +0.30) that follows the typical trend of metal-poor GCs. The aluminum abundance ratios for the present two member stars are enhanced in [Al/Fe] +0.58, which is a typical enrichment characteristic of the so-called 'second-generation' of stars in GCs at similar metallicity. This supports the possible presence of the multiple-population phenomenon in Patchick 125, as well as its genuine GC nature. Further, Patchick 125 shows a low-energy, low-eccentric (< 0.4) and retrograde orbit captured by the inner Galaxy, near the edge of the bulge. We confirm that Patchick 125 is a genuine metal-poor GC, which is currently trapped in the vicinity of the Milky Way bulge.
Candidate Hypervelocity Red Clump Stars in the Galactic Bulge Found Using the VVV and Gaia Surveys
(Institute of Physics Publishing, 2019-12) Luna, Alonso; Minniti, Dante; Alonso-García, Javier
We propose a new way to search for hypervelocity stars (HVS) in the Galactic bulge, by using red clump (RC) giants, that are good distance indicators. The second Gaia Data Release and the near-IR data from the VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) Survey led to the selection of a volume limited sample of 34 bulge RC stars. A search in this combined data set leads to the discovery of seven candidate hypervelocity red clump stars in the Milky Way bulge. Based on this search we estimate the total production rate of hypervelocity RC stars from the central supermassive black hole (SMBH) to be N HVRC = 3.26 × 10-4 yr-1. This opens up the possibility of finding larger samples of HVS in the Galactic bulge using future surveys, closer to their main production site, if they originated from interactions of binaries with the central SMBH. © 2019. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved..
CAPOS: The bulge Cluster APOgee Survey II. The intriguing “Sequoia” globular cluster FSR 1758
(EDP Sciences, 2021-08-01) Romero-Colmenares, María; Fernández-Trincado, José G.; Geisler, Doug; Souza, Stefano O.; Villanova, Sandro; Longa-Peña, Penélope; Minniti, Dante; Beers, Timothy C.; Bidin, Cristian Moni; Perez-Villegas, Angeles; Moreno, Edmundo; Garro, Elisa R.; Baeza, Ian; Henao, Lady; Barbuy, Beatriz; Alonso-García, Javier; Cohen, Roger E.; Lane, Richard R.; Muñoz, Cesar
We present results from a study of 15 red giant members of the intermediate-metallicity globular cluster (GC) FSR 1758 using high-resolution, near-infrared spectra collected with the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment II survey (APOGEE-2) that were obtained as part of CAPOS (the bulge Cluster APOgee Survey). Since its very recent discovery as a massive GC in the bulge region, evoking the name Sequoia, this has been an intriguing object with a highly debated origin, and initially led to the suggestion of a purported progenitor dwarf galaxy of the same name. In this work, we use new spectroscopic and astrometric data to provide additional clues as to the nature of FSR 1758. Our study confirms the GC nature of FSR 1758, and as such we report the existence of the characteristic N-C anticorrelation and Al-N correlation for the first time. We thereby reveal the existence of the multiple-population phenomenon, similar to that observed in virtually all GCs. Furthermore, the presence of a population with strongly enriched aluminum makes it unlikely that FSR 1758 is the remnant nucleus of a dwarf galaxy because Al-enhanced stars are uncommon in dwarf galaxies. We find that FSR 1758 is slightly more metal rich than previously reported in the literature; this source has a mean metallicity [Fe/H] between -1.43 to -1.36, depending on the adopted atmospheric parameters and a scatter within observational error, again pointing to its GC nature. Overall, the α-enrichment ( + 0.3 dex), Fe-peak (Fe, Ni), light (C, N), and odd-Z (Al) elements follow the trend of intermediate-metallicity GCs. Isochrone fitting in the Gaia bands yields an estimated age of ∼11.6 Gyr. We used the exquisite kinematic data, including our CAPOS radial velocities and Gaia eDR3 proper motions, to constrain the N-body density profile of FSR 1758, and found that it is as massive (∼2.9 ± 0.6 × 105 Mpdbl) as NGC 6752. We confirm a retrograde and eccentric orbit for FSR 1758. A new examination of its dynamical properties with the GravPot16 model favors an association with the Gaia-Enceladus-Sausage accretion event. Thus, paradoxically, the cluster that gave rise to the name of the Sequoia dwarf galaxy does not appear to belong to this specific merging event.
CAPOS: the bulge Cluster APOgee Survey IV elemental abundances of the bulge globular cluster NGC 6558
(Oxford University Press, 2023-12-01) González-Díaz, Danilo; Fernández-Trincado, José G.; Villanova, Sandro; Geisler, Doug; Barbuy, Beatriz; Minniti, Dante; Beers, Timothy C.; Bidin, Christian Moni; Mauro, Francesco; Muñoz, Cesar; Tang, Baitian; Soto, Mario; Monachesi, Antonela; Lane, Richard R.; Frelijj, Heinz
This study presents the results concerning six red giant stars members of the globular cluster NGC 6558. Our analysis utilized high-resolution near-infrared spectra obtained through the CAPOS initiative (the APOgee Survey of Clusters in the Galactic Bulge), which focuses on surveying clusters within the Galactic Bulge, as a component of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment II survey (APOGEE-2). We employ the Brussels Automatic Code for Characterizing High accUracy Spectra (BACCHUS) code to provide line-by-line elemental-abundances for Fe-peak (Fe, Ni), α-(O, Mg, Si, Ca, Ti), light-(C, N), odd-Z (Al), and the s-process element (Ce) for the four stars with high-signal-to-noise ratios. This is the first reliable measure of the CNO abundances for NGC 6558. Our analysis yields a mean metallicity for NGC 6558 of 〈[Fe/H]〉 = −1.15 ± 0.08, with no evidence for a metallicity spread. We find a Solar Ni abundance, 〈[Ni/Fe]〉 ∼ +0.01, and a moderate enhancement of α-elements, ranging between +0.16 and [removed] +0.99, along with a low level of carbon, [C/Fe] < −0.12. This behaviour of Nitrogen-Carbon is a typical chemical signature for the presence of multiple stellar populations in virtually all GCs; this is the first time that it is reported in NGC 6558. We also observed a remarkable consistency in the behaviour of all the chemical species compared to the other CAPOS bulge GCs of the same metallicity. © The Author(s) 2023.
CAPOS: The bulge Cluster APOgee Survey: II: The intriguing "sequoia" globular cluster FSR 1758
(EDP Sciences, 2021-08-01) Romero-Colmenares, María; Fernández-Trincado, José G.; Geisler, Doug; Souza, Stefano O.; Villanova, Sandro; Longa-Peña, Penélope; Minniti, Dante; Beers, Timothy C.; Bidin, Cristian Moni; Perez-Villegas, Angeles; Moreno, Edmundo; Garro, Elisa R.
We present results from a study of 15 red giant members of the intermediate-metallicity globular cluster (GC) FSR 1758 using high-resolution, near-infrared spectra collected with the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment II survey (APOGEE-2) that were obtained as part of CAPOS (the bulge Cluster APOgee Survey). Since its very recent discovery as a massive GC in the bulge region, evoking the name Sequoia, this has been an intriguing object with a highly debated origin, and initially led to the suggestion of a purported progenitor dwarf galaxy of the same name. In this work, we use new spectroscopic and astrometric data to provide additional clues as to the nature of FSR 1758. Our study confirms the GC nature of FSR 1758, and as such we report the existence of the characteristic N-C anticorrelation and Al-N correlation for the first time. We thereby reveal the existence of the multiple-population phenomenon, similar to that observed in virtually all GCs. Furthermore, the presence of a population with strongly enriched aluminum makes it unlikely that FSR 1758 is the remnant nucleus of a dwarf galaxy because Al-enhanced stars are uncommon in dwarf galaxies. We find that FSR 1758 is slightly more metal rich than previously reported in the literature; this source has a mean metallicity [Fe/H] between -1.43 to -1.36, depending on the adopted atmospheric parameters and a scatter within observational error, again pointing to its GC nature. Overall, the α-enrichment ( + 0.3 dex), Fe-peak (Fe, Ni), light (C, N), and odd-Z (Al) elements follow the trend of intermediate-metallicity GCs. Isochrone fitting in the Gaia bands yields an estimated age of ∼11.6 Gyr. We used the exquisite kinematic data, including our CAPOS radial velocities and Gaia eDR3 proper motions, to constrain the N-body density profile of FSR 1758, and found that it is as massive (∼2.9 ± 0.6 × 105 Mpdbl) as NGC 6752. We confirm a retrograde and eccentric orbit for FSR 1758. A new examination of its dynamical properties with the GravPot16 model favors an association with the Gaia-Enceladus-Sausage accretion event. Thus, paradoxically, the cluster that gave rise to the name of the Sequoia dwarf galaxy does not appear to belong to this specific merging event.
Confirmation of a galaxy cluster hidden behind the Galactic bulge using the VVV survey
(EDP Sciences, 2014-09) Coldwell, Georgina; Alonso, Sol; Duplancic, Fernanda; Hempel, Maren; Ivanov, Valentin D.; Minniti, Dante
Context. S uzaku and Chandra X-ray observations detected a new cluster of galaxies, Suzaku J1759−3450, at a redshift z = 0.13. It is located behind the Milky Way, and the high Galactic dust extinction renders it nearly invisible at optical wavelengths. Aims. We attempt here to confirm the galaxy cluster with near-infrared imaging observations and to characterize its central member galaxies. Methods. Images from the VVV survey were used to detect candidate member galaxies of Suzaku J1759−3450 within the central region of the cluster up to 350 kpc from the X-ray peak emission. Color–magnitude diagrams, color–color diagrams, and morphology criteria allowed us to select the galaxies among the numerous foreground sources. Results. Fifteen candidate cluster members were found very close to a modeled red-sequence at the redshift of the cluster. Five members are extremely bright, and one is possibly a cD galaxy. The asymmetry in the spatial distribution of the galaxies with respect to the X-ray peak emission is an indicator that this cluster is still suffering a virialization process. Conclusions. Our investigation of Suzaku J1759−3450 demonstrates the potential of the VVV survey to study the hidden population of galaxies in the zone of avoidance.
Confirmation of a New Metal-poor Globular Cluster in the Galactic Bulge
(Institute of Physics Publishing, 2018-10) Minniti, Dante; Schlafly E.F.; Palma, Tali; Clariá, Juan J.; Hempel, Maren; Alonso-García, Javier; Bica, Eduardo; Bonatto, Charles; Braga, Vittorio F.; Clementini, Gisella; Garofalo, Alessia; Gómez, Matías; Ivanov, Valentin D.; Lucas, Phillip W.; Pullen, Joyce; Saito, Roberto K.; Smith, Leigh C.
We use deep near-IR photometry of the VISTA Variables in the V'a L'ctea (VVV) Survey and deep DECam Plane Survey (DECaPS) optical photometry to confirm the physical reality of the candidate globular cluster (GC) Minni 22, which is located in the Galactic bulge. This object, which was detected as a high density region in our maps of bulge red giants, is now confirmed as a real GC based on the optical and near-IR color'magnitude diagrams. We also recover three known fundamental mode (ab type) RR Lyrae stars within 2 arcmin of the cluster center. The presence of RR Lyrae stars also seems to confirm Minni 22 as a bonafide old and metal-poor GC. We estimate a cluster reddening E(J - Ks) = 0.6 mag and determine its heliocentric distance D = 7.4 ± 0.3 kpc. The optical and near-IR color'magnitude diagrams reveal well-defined red giant branches in all cases, including a red giant branch bump at Ks = 13.30 ± 0.05 mag. The comparison with theoretical isochrones yields a mean metallicity of [Fe/H] = -1.3 ± 0.3 dex, and age of t ∼ 11.2 Gyr. This is a good example of a new low-luminosity (MV = -6.2 mag) GC found in the central bulge of the Milky Way. After discussing the different ways to confirm the existence of bulge GC candidates, we find that one of the best methods is to use the CMDs from the combination of the DECaPS + VVV photometries. © 2018 The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Discovery of a new stellar subpopulation residing in the (Inner) stellar halo of the milky way
(Institute of Physics Publishing, 2019-11) Fernández-Trincado, José G.; Beers, Timothy C.; Placco, Vinicius M.; Moreno, Edmundo; Alves-Brito, Alan; Minniti, Dante; Tang, Baitian; Pérez-Villegas, Angeles; Reylé, Céline; Robin, Annie C.; Villanova, Sandro
We report the discovery of a unique collection of metal-poor giant stars that exhibit anomalously high levels of 28Si, clearly above typical Galactic levels. Our sample spans a narrow range of metallicities, peaking at −1.07 ± 0.06, and exhibits abundance ratios of [Si, Al/Fe] that are as extreme as those observed in Galactic globular clusters (GCs), and Mg is slightly less overabundant. In almost all the sources we used, the elemental abundances were redetermined from high-resolution spectra, which were reanalyzed assuming LTE. Thus, we compiled the main element families, namely, the light elements (C, N), α-elements (O, Mg, Si), iron-peak element (Fe), s-process elements (Ce, Nd), and the light odd-Z element (Al). We also provide dynamical evidence that most of these stars lie on tight (inner) halo-like and retrograde orbits passing through the bulge. Such kinds of objects have been found in present-day halo GCs, providing the clearest chemical signature of past accretion events in the (inner) stellar halo of the galaxy, possibly formed as the result of dissolved halo GCs. Their chemical composition is, in general, similar to that of typical GC populations, although several differences exist.
Discovery of tidal RR lyrae stars in the bulge globular cluster M62
(Institute of Physics Publishing, 2018-12) Minniti, Dante; Fernández-Trincado, José G.; Ripepi, Vincenzo; Alonso-García, Javier; Contreras Ramos, Rodrigo; Marconi, Marcella
The RR Lyrae (RRL) rich globular cluster M62 (NGC 6266) is one of the most massive globular clusters in the Milky Way, located in the dense region of the Galactic bulge, where dynamical processes that affect the survival of globular clusters are maximized. Using Gaia second data release data we have found clear evidence for an excess of RRLs beyond the cluster tidal radius of M62, associated partly with stars stripped into the Galaxy field. This is confirmed with new Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy Variables in the Via Lactea Extended survey observations, which discard any differential reddening effect as the possible cause of the observed RRL density excess. We also determined the orbit of M62 using accurate new measurements of its distance, radial velocity, and proper motions, finding that its orbit is prograde with respect to the direction of the Galactic rotation. Orbits are integrated in the non-axisymmetric galactic model GravPot16, which includes the perturbations due to the central Galactic bar. M62 shows a particular orbital behavior, having a dynamical signature of the bar-bulge region. The small extra-tidal RRLs extensions that are observed are roughly aligned toward the galactic center, and the direction is almost perpendicular to the galactic plane, not with its motion along its orbit. This may be a clear sign of bulge-crossing shocks during the last passage close of the cluster toward its perigalacticon. M62 would be the first clear observed case of bulge shocking in the inner Galaxy acting on a globular cluster
Enlightening the Universe behind the Milky Way bulge I. Target selection of VVV bulge galaxies
(EDP Sciences, 2024-02-01) Duplancic, Fernanda; Alonso, Sol; Coldwell, Georgina; Galdeano, Daniela; Minniti, Dante; Fernandez, Julia; Mesa, Valeria; Perez, Noelia R.; Pereyra, Luis; Pavesich, Franco
Context. The location of the Solar System complicates the detection extragalactic sources beyond the Milky Way plane. The optical observations are hampered in the so-called zone of avoidance (ZOA), where stellar crowding and Galactic absorption are severe. Observations at longer wavelengths are needed in order to discover new background galaxies and complete the census in the ZOA. Aims. The goal of this work is to identify galaxies behind the Milky Way bulge using near-infrared (NIR) data from the VISTA Variables in Vía Láctea (VVV) survey. Methods. To this end, we made use of different VISTA Science Archive (VSA) tools in order to extract relevant information from more than 32 billion catalogued sources in the VVV bulge region. We find that initial photometric restriction on sources from the VSA vvvSource table combined with restrictions on star–galaxy separation parameters obtained from Source Extractor is a successful strategy for achieving acceptable levels of contamination (60%) and high completeness (75%) in the construction of a galaxy target sample. To remove contaminating Galactic sources from the initial target sample, our methodology also incorporates a visual inspection of false-colour RGB images, a crucial quality control carried out following a specifically defined procedure. Results. Under this methodology, we find 14 480 galaxy candidates in the VVV bulge region, making this sample the largest catalogue to date in the ZOA. Moreover, these new sources provide a fresh picture of the Universe hidden behind the curtain of stars, dust, and gas in the unexplored Milky Way bulge region. Conclusions. The results from this work further demonstrate the potential of the VVV/VVVX survey to find and study a large number of galaxies and extragalactic structures obscured by the Milky Way, expanding our knowledge of the Universe in this challenging and impressive region of the sky.
Extra-tidal star candidates in globular clusters of the sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy
(EDP Sciences, 2022-09) Kundu, Richa; Navarrete, Camila; Sbordone, Luca; Carballo-Bello, Julio A.; Fernández-Trincado, José G.; Minniti, Dante; Singh, Harinder P.
Context. Globular clusters (GCs) associated with the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy (Sgr dSph) have evolved under the gravita tional potential of both Sgr dSph and the Milky Way. The effects of these potentials are most pronounced in the extra-tidal regions as compared to the central regions of the GCs. Aims. We aim to study the extra-tidal regions of the GCs that are possibly associated with Sgr dSph, namely Arp 2, Terzan 8, NGC 5634, NGC 6284, Terzan 7, NGC 2419, NGC 4147, M 54 and Pal 12, using data from the Gaia early data release 3. Methods. We selected the extra-tidal candidates based on their angular distances from the cluster centre in the RA-Dec plane, proper motions of the clusters and the individual extra-tidal star candidates, and their positions on the colour-magnitude diagrams of the clusters. Results. We found extra-tidal candidates for the nine studied GCs. For eight of them, the surface density of candidate extra-tidal stars in the vicinity of the clusters is in significant excess with respect to more distant surrounding fields. No extended extra-tidal features beyond 5 tidal radii were detected for any of the clusters. Conclusions. We publish a list of the most probable extra-tidal candidates that we determined using Gaia astrometric and photometric data. Our analysis shows that the clusters that are associated with Sgr dSph are more likely affected by the gravitational potential of the Sgr, as the distribution of extra-tidal stars is elongated in the same direction as the local stream. NGC 4147 is the only exception. We found some high-probability candidate extra-tidal stars in several of the analysed clusters. We failed to detect any coherent large-scale tidal tail around them
Final Targeting Strategy for the SDSS-IV APOGEE-2S Survey
(American Astronomical Society, 2021-12-01) Santana, Felipe A.; Beaton, Rachael L.; Covey, Kevin R.; O'Connell, Julia E.; Longa-Peña, Penélope; Cohen, Roger; Fernández-Trincado, José G.; Hayes, Christian R.; Zasowski, Gail; Sobeck, Jennifer S.; Majewski, Steven R.; Chojnowski, S. D.; De Lee, Nathan; Oelkers, Ryan J.; Stringfellow, Guy S.; Almeida, Andrés; Anguiano, Borja; Donor, John; Frinchaboy, Peter M.; Hasselquist, Sten; Johnson, Jennifer A.; Kollmeier, Juna A.; Nidever, David L.; Price-Whelan, Adrian M.; Rojas-Arriagada, Álvaro; Schultheis, Mathias; Shetrone, Matthew; Simon, Joshua D.; Aerts, Conny; Borissova, Jura; Drout, María R.; Geisler, Doug; Law, C. Y.; Medina, Nicolas; Minniti, Dante; Monachesi, Antonela; Muñoz, Ricardo R.; Poleski, Radosław; Roman-Lopes, Alexandre; Schlaufman, Kevin C.; Stutz, Amelia M.; Teske, Johanna; Tkachenko, Andrew; Van Saders, Jennifer L.; Weinberger, Alycia J.; Zoccali, Manuela
APOGEE is a high-resolution (R ∼ 22,000), near-infrared, multi-epoch, spectroscopic survey of the Milky Way. The second generation of the APOGEE project, APOGEE-2, includes an expansion of the survey to the Southern Hemisphere called APOGEE-2S. This expansion enabled APOGEE to perform a fully panoramic mapping of all of the main regions of the Milky Way; in particular, by operating in the H band, APOGEE is uniquely able to probe the dust-hidden inner regions of the Milky Way that are best accessed from the Southern Hemisphere. In this paper we present the targeting strategy of APOGEE-2S, with special attention to documenting modifications to the original, previously published plan. The motivation for these changes is explained as well as an assessment of their effectiveness in achieving their intended scientific objective. In anticipation of this being the last paper detailing APOGEE targeting, we present an accounting of all such information complete through the end of the APOGEE-2S project; this includes several main survey programs dedicated to exploration of major stellar populations and regions of the Milky Way, as well as a full list of programs contributing to the APOGEE database through allocations of observing time by the Chilean National Time Allocation Committee and the Carnegie Institution for Science. This work was presented along with a companion article, Beaton et al. (2021), presenting the final target selection strategy adopted for APOGEE-2 in the Northern Hemisphere.
FSR 1716: A New Milky Way Globular Cluster Confirmed Using VVV RR Lyrae Stars
(Institute of Physics Publishing, 2017-03) Minniti, Dante; Palma, Tali; Dékány, Istvan; Hempel, Maren; Rejkuba, Marina; Pullen, Joyce; Alonso-García, Javier; Barbá, Rodolfo; Barbuy, Beatriz; Bica, Eduardo; Bonatto, Charles; Borissova, Jura; Catelan, Marcio; Carballo-Bello, Julio A.; Chene, Andre Nicolas; Clariá, Juan José; Cohen, Roger E.; Contreras Ramos, Rodrigo; Dias, Bruno; Emerson, Jim; Froebrich, Dirk; Buckner, Anne S. M.; Geisler, Douglas; Gonzalez, Oscar A.; Gran, Felipe; Hagdu, Gergely; Irwin, Mike; Ivanov, Valentin D.; Kurtev, Radostin; Lucas, Philip W.; Majaess, Daniel; Mauro, Francesco; Moni-Bidin, Christian; Navarrete, Camila; Alegría, Sebastian Ramírez; Saito, Roberto K.; Valenti, Elena; Zoccali, Manuela
We use deep multi-epoch near-IR images of the VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea (VVV) Survey to search for RR Lyrae stars toward the Southern Galactic plane. Here, we report the discovery of a group of RR Lyrae stars close together in VVV tile d025. Inspection of the VVV images and PSF photometry reveals that most of these stars are likely to belong to a globular cluster that matches the position of the previously known star cluster FSR 1716. The stellar density map of the field yields a >100σ detection for this candidate globular cluster that is centered at equatorial coordinates R.A.J2000 = 16:10:30.0, decl.J2000 = -53:44:56 and galactic coordinates l = 329.77812, b = -1.59227. The color-magnitude diagram of this object reveals a well-populated red giant branch, with a prominent red clump at K s = 13.35 ±0.05, and J - K s = 1.30 ±0.05. We present the cluster RR Lyrae positions, magnitudes, colors, periods, and amplitudes. The presence of RR Lyrae indicates an old globular cluster, with an age >10 Gyr. We classify this object as an Oosterhoff type I globular cluster, based on the mean period of its RR Lyrae type ab, days, and argue that this is a relatively metal-poor cluster with [Fe/H] = -1.5 ±0.4 dex. The mean extinction and reddening for this cluster are and E(J - K s) = 0.72 ±0.02 mag, respectively, as measured from the RR Lyrae colors and the near-IR color-magnitude diagram. We also measure the cluster distance using the RR Lyrae type ab stars. The cluster mean distance modulus is (m - M)0 = 14.38 ±0.03 mag, implying a distance D = 7.5 ±0.2 kpc and a Galactocentric distance R G = 4.3 kpc. © 2017. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.

Examinando por Autor "Minniti, Dante"

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