Observing the Stellar Halo of Andromeda in Cosmological Simulations: The AURIGA2PANDAS Pipeline

Abstract We present a direct comparison of the Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey (PAndAS) observations stellar halo M31 with halos six galaxies from Auriga simulations. process simulated through A uriga 2PA nd AS pipeline and create PAndAS-like mocks that fold in all observational limitations survey data (foreground contamination Milky Way stars, incompleteness catalogs, photometric uncertainties, etc.). This allows us to study same way generate directly comparable density maps radial profiles. show simulations are overall compatible observations. Nevertheless, some systematic differences exist, such as preponderance for metal-rich stars mocks. While these could suggest had different accretion history or has mass compared systems, it is more likely consequence an underquenching star formation galaxies, related resolution The enabled by our approach offers avenues improve understanding galaxy they can help pinpoint observable between Ideally, this will be further developed application other To facilitate step, we release mocks, along presented used contribution.