The Least Luminous Galaxy: Spectroscopy of the Milky Way Satellite Segue 1

TL;DR

This study presents spectroscopic evidence that Segue 1, despite its ultra-low luminosity, is a dark matter-dominated dwarf galaxy, making it the least luminous galaxy known and a prime candidate for dark matter detection.

Contribution

It provides detailed spectroscopic analysis confirming Segue 1 as a dark matter-rich dwarf galaxy, distinguishing it from globular clusters and highlighting its significance for dark matter research.

Findings

Segue 1 has a high mass-to-light ratio (~1320), indicating dark matter dominance.

The galaxy's velocity dispersion is measured at 4.3 km/s, supporting its dark matter content.

Segue 1 is the least luminous galaxy known, ideal for dark matter detection efforts.

Abstract

We present Keck/DEIMOS spectroscopy of Segue 1, an ultra-low luminosity (M_V = -1.5) Milky Way satellite companion. While the combined size and luminosity of Segue 1 are consistent with either a globular cluster or a dwarf galaxy, we present spectroscopic evidence that this object is a dark matter-dominated dwarf galaxy. We identify 24 stars as members of Segue 1 with a mean heliocentric recession velocity of 206 +/- 1.3 kms. We measure an internal velocity dispersion of 4.3+/-1.2 kms. Under the assumption that these stars are in dynamical equilibrium, we infer a total mass of 4.5^{+4.7}_{-2.5} x 10^5 Msun in the case where mass-follow-light; using a two-component maximum likelihood model, we determine a similar mass within the stellar radius of 50 pc. This implies a mass-to-light ratio of ln(M/L_V) = 7.2^{+1.1}_{-1.2} or M/L_V = 1320^{+2680}_{-940}. The error distribution of the mass-to-light ratio is nearly log-normal, thus Segue 1 is dark matter-dominated at a high significance. Using spectral synthesis modeling, we derive a metallicity for the single red giant branch star in our sample of [Fe/H]=-3.3 +/- 0.2 dex. Finally, we discuss the prospects for detecting gamma-rays from annihilation of dark matter particles and show that Segue 1 is the most promising satellite for indirect dark matter detection. We conclude that Segue 1 is the least luminous of the ultra-faint galaxies recently discovered around the Milky Way, and is thus the least luminous known galaxy.