Mapping low-latitude stellar substructure with SEGUE photometry

TL;DR

This paper uses SEGUE photometry to map and analyze the Low Latitude Stream, a large stellar structure near the Milky Way's plane, to understand its origin and characteristics.

Contribution

It applies colour-magnitude diagram fitting to systematically identify stellar overdensities at low latitudes, aiding in distinguishing models of the Low Latitude Stream.

Findings

Detected stellar overdensities consistent with the Low Latitude Stream

Provided constraints on the structure's spatial extent and density

Helped differentiate between competing formation models

Abstract

Encircling the Milky Way at low latitudes, the Low Latitude Stream is a large stellar structure, the origin of which is as yet unknown. As part of the SEGUE survey, several photometric scans have been obtained that cross the Galactic plane, spread over a longitude range of 50 to 203 degrees. These data allow a systematic study of the structure of the Galaxy at low latitudes, where the Low Latitude Stream resides. We apply colour-magnitude diagram fitting techniques to map the stellar (sub)structure in these regions, enabling the detection of overdensities with respect to smooth models. These detections can be used to distinguish between different models of the Low Latitude Stream, and help to shed light on the nature of the system.