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Formation of the Andromeda Giant Stream and the 10 kpc Ring Structure in the Andromeda Galaxy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2025

Masao Mori Open the ORCID record for Masao Mori [Opens in a new window] ,
Ayami Hotta  and
Koki Otaki Open the ORCID record for Koki Otaki [Opens in a new window]
Masao Mori*
Affiliation:
Center for Computational Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Ayami Hotta
Affiliation:
Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Koki Otaki
Affiliation:
Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
*
email: mmori@ccs.tsukuba.ac.jp
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Abstract

We investigate the possible link between the Andromeda Giant Stream (AGS) and the 10 kpc ring structure using N-body/SPH simulations of a minor merger between the M31 and a satellite galaxy with a mass of 1010 M⊙. The simulation result successfully matches the observed features of the AGS and the 10 kpc ring concurrently. The simulation reproduced the observations, showing that the stars are smoothly distributed in the galactic disk, and the gas is shaped in a ring-like structure. In addition, we demonstrate the spatial metallicity distribution of the merger remnant, assuming the metallicity gradient of the progenitor galaxy. The result remarkably captures the observed features in the AGS exhibiting non-uniform metallicity distribution perpendicular to the AGS axis. These results indicate that a minor merger with a massive dwarf galaxy is capable of simultaneously forming the AGS and the 10 kpc ring.

Keywords

Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy CollisionHydrodynamics

Information

Type
Contributed Paper
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 19 , Symposium S379: Dynamical Masses of Local Group Galaxies , December 2023 , pp. 110 - 115
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of International Astronomical Union

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