Dynamical modelling of dwarf spheroidal galaxies using Gaussian-process emulation

Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies

Modelling the dynamical evolution of the Bootes dwarf spheroidal galaxy

We investigate a wide range of possible evolutionary histories for the recently discovered Bootes dwarf spheroidal galaxy, a Milky Way satellite. By means of N -body simulations we follow the evolution of possible progenitor galaxies of Bootes for a variety of orbits in the gravitational potential of the Milky Way. The progenitors considered cover the range from dark-matter-free star clusters t...

Internal Kinematics of Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies

We discuss the quality of kinematic data in dwarf spheroidal galaxies, the current interpretations of those data, and prospects for actually deriving the mass profile in these galaxies. We then discuss stellar populations constraints on some of the models that attempt to explain the kinematics and formation of the dSph’s.

Supernova Enrichment of Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies

Many dwarf galaxies exhibit sub-Solar metallicities, with some star-to-star variation, despite often containing multiple generations of stars. The total metal content in these systems is much less than expected from the heavy element production of massive stars in each episode of star formation. Such a deficiency implies that a substantial fraction of the enriched material has been lost from th...

Life and times of dwarf spheroidal galaxies

We propose a cosmological scenario for the formation and evolution of dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSphs), satellites of the Milky Way (MW). An improved version of the semi-analytical code GAMETE (GAlaxy Merger Tree & Evolution) is used to follow the dSphs evolution simultaneously with the MW formation, matching the observed properties of both. In this scenario dSph galaxies represent fossil obje...