Evidence for temporal evolution in the M33 disc as traced by its star clusters

Beasley, M. A.; San Roman, Izaskun; Gallart, C.; Sarajedini, Ata; Aparicio, A.
Bibliographical reference

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 451, Issue 4, p.3400-3418

Advertised on:
8
2015
Number of authors
5
IAC number of authors
3
Citations
34
Refereed citations
33
Description
We present precision radial velocities and stellar population parameters for 77 star clusters in the Local Group galaxy M33. Our Gran Telescopio de Canarias and William Herschel Telescope observations sample both young, massive clusters and known/candidate globular clusters (GCs), spanning ages ˜106-1010 yr, and metallicities, [M/H] ˜ -1.7 to solar. The cluster system exhibits an age-metallicity relation; the youngest clusters are the most metal rich. When compared to H I data, clusters with [M/H] ˜ -1.0 and younger than ˜4 Gyr are clearly identified as a disc population. The clusters show evidence for strong time evolution in the disc radial metallicity gradient (d[M/H]dt/dR = 0.03 dex kpc-1 Gyr-1). The oldest clusters have stronger, more negative gradients than the youngest clusters in M33. The clusters also show a clear age-velocity dispersion relation. The line-of-sight velocity dispersions of the clusters increases with age similar to Milky Way open clusters and stars. The general shape of the relation is reproduced by disc heating simulations, and the similarity between the relations in M33 and the Milky Way suggests that heating by substructure and cooling of the interstellar medium both play a role in shaping this relation. We identify 12 `classical' GCs, six of which are newly identified GC candidates. The GCs are more metal rich than Milky Way halo clusters, and show weak rotation. The inner (R < 4.5 kpc) GCs exhibit a steep radial metallicity gradient (d[M/H]/dR = -0.29 ± 0.11 dex kpc-1) and an exponential-like surface density profile. We argue that these inner GCs are thick disc rather than halo objects.
Related projects
NGC 2808 Globular Cluster
Milky Way and Nearby Galaxies

The general aim of the project is to research the structure, evolutionary history and formation of galaxies through the study of their resolved stellar populations, both from photometry and spectroscopy. The group research concentrates in the most nearby objects, namely the Local Group galaxies including the Milky Way and M33 under the hypothesis

Martín
López Corredoira
A view of our Milky Way galaxy with its close neighbors the Magellanic Clouds
Galaxy Evolution in the Local Group

Galaxy formation and evolution is a fundamental Astrophysical problem. Its study requires “travelling back in time”, for which there are two complementary approaches. One is to analyse galaxy properties as a function of red-shift. Our team focuses on the other approach, called “Galactic Archaeology”. It is based on the determination of galaxy

Matteo
Monelli
Group members
Traces of Galaxy Formation: Stellar populations, Dynamics and Morphology

We are a large, diverse, and very active research group aiming to provide a comprehensive picture for the formation of galaxies in the Universe. Rooted in detailed stellar population analysis, we are constantly exploring and developing new tools and ideas to understand how galaxies came to be what we now observe.

Ignacio
Martín Navarro