Galaxies dwarf spheroidal

Abstract. This aims to be an overview of what detailed observations of individual stars in nearby dwarf galaxies may teach us about galaxy evolution. This includes some early results from the DART (Dwarf Abundances and Radial velocity Team) Large Programme at ESO. This project has used 2.2m/WFI and VLT/FLAMES to obtain spectra of large samples of individual stars in nearby dwarf spheroidal galaxies and determine accurate abundances and kinematics. These results can be used to trace the formation and evolution of nearby galaxies from the earliest times to the present. 

The most metal-rich stars in dwarf spheroidals (dSph) have been shown to have significantly lower even-Z abundance ratios than stars of similar metallicity in the Milky Way (MW). In addition, the most metal-rich dSph stars are dominated by an s-process abundance pattern in comparison to stars of similar metallicity in the MW. This has been interpreted as excessive contamination by Type la super-novae (SN) and asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars ( Bonifacio et al. 2000, Shetrone et al. 2001, Smecker-Hane McWilliam 2002). By comparing these results to MW chemical evolution, Lanfranchi Matteucci (2003) conclude that the dSph galaxies have had a slower star formation rate than the MW (Lanfranchi Matteucci 2003). This slow star formation, when combined with an efficient galactic wind, allows the contribution of Type la SN and AGB stars to be incorporated into the ISM before the Type II SN can bring the metallicity up to MW thick disk metallicities. 

The Composition of the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy and Implications for Nucleosynthesis and Chemical Evolution... 

Abstract. We present metallicities for 487 red giants in the Carina dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxy that were obtained from FLAMES low-resolution Ca triplet (CaT) spectroscopy. We find a mean [Fe/H] of —1.91dex with an intrinsic dispersion of 0.25 dex, whereas the full spread in metallicities is at least one dex. The analysis of the radial distribution of metallicities reveals that an excess of metal poor stars resides in a region of larger axis distances. These results can constrain evolutionary models and are discussed in the context of chemical evolution in the Carina dSph. 

Dwarf Spheroidal galaxies are the smallest and faintest galaxies known. They are typically dominated by old stellar populations (e.g. Sculptor and Sextans), but some of them (e.g. Fornax) exhibit more recent star formation episodes (2-8 Gyr ago). Analysis of the horizontal branch morphology shows that Red HB stars are more centrally concentrated than Blue HB stars which could be interpreted either as an age or a metallicity gradient or both ([1]). Only spectroscopic observations can unambiguously separate metallicity gradients and make a link with the kinematics. 

Chemical Abundances of RGB-Tip Stars in the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy... 

The Sagittarius dwarf Spheroidal galaxy (Sgr dSph) is currently disrupting under the strain of the Milky Way (MW) tidal field. The study of the Sgr chemical composition allows us to study at the same time the star formation history of a dwarf galaxy and the relevance of the hierarchical merging process for the formation of large galaxies such as the MW. 

We call Standard Chemical Model a general model devised for a typical dwarf spheroidal galaxy (for details see Lanfranchi Matteucci, 2003). The main assumptions are ... 

Dwarf galaxies are common objects in the nearby universe. They present a well pronounced dichotomy between the two main classes of dwarf spheroidals (Matteucci, these proceedings) and dwarf irregulars (DIGs). 

Fig. 11.2. Mean stellar iron abundances as a function of luminosity in dwarf spheroidals (filled circles), dwarf ellipticals (open circles), dSph/dlrr transition galaxies (filled diamonds) and dwarf irregulars (open diamonds). Baryonic luminosity in the right panel includes the additional luminosity that irregulars would have if their gas were converted into stars. After Grebel, Gallagher and Harbeck (2003).

Fig. 11.16. Median metal abundance per unit true yield as a function of final mass with observations of dwarf spheroidal and elliptical galaxies superposed.

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