The kinematics, metallicities, and orbits of six recently discovered Galactic star clusters with Magellan/M2FS spectroscopy

Andrew B. Pace*, Sergey E. Koposov, Matthew G. Walker, Nelson Caldwell, Mario Mateo, Edward W. Olszewski, Ian U. Roederer, John I. Bailey, Vasily Belokurov, Kyler Kuehn, Ting S. Li, Daniel B. Zucker

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We present Magellan/M2FS spectroscopy of four recently discovered Milky Way star clusters (Gran 3/Patchick 125, Gran 4, Garro 01, and LP 866) and two newly discovered open clusters (Gaia 9 and Gaia 10) at low Galactic latitudes. We measure line-of-sight velocities and stellar parameters ([Fe/H], log g, Teff, and [Mg/Fe]) from high-resolution spectroscopy centred on the Mg triplet and identify 20-80 members per star cluster. We determine the kinematics and chemical properties of each cluster and measure the systemic proper motion and orbital properties by utilizing Gaia astrometry. We find Gran 3 to be an old, metal-poor (mean metallicity of [Fe/H] = -1.83) globular cluster located in the Galactic bulge on a retrograde orbit. Gran 4 is an old, metal-poor ([Fe/H] = -1.84) globular cluster with a halo-like orbit that happens to be passing through the Galactic plane. The orbital properties of Gran 4 are consistent with the proposed LMS-1/Wukong and/or Helmi streams merger events. Garro 01 is metal-rich ([Fe/H] = -0.30) and on a near-circular orbit in the outer disc but its classification as an open cluster or globular cluster is ambiguous. Gaia 9 and Gaia 10 are among the most distant known open clusters at RGC ∼ 18, 21.2 kpc and most metal-poor with [Fe/H] ∼-0.50, -0.34 for Gaia 9 and Gaia 10, respectively. LP 866 is a nearby, metal-rich open cluster ([Fe/H] = +0.10). The discovery and confirmation of multiple star clusters in the Galactic plane shows the power of Gaia astrometry and the star cluster census remains incomplete.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1075-1094
Number of pages20
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume526
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2023

Keywords

  • globular clusters: general
  • open clusters and associations: general
  • stars: kinematics and dynamics

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