The halo+cluster system of the Galactic globular cluster NGC1851

TL;DR

This study investigates the extended stellar halo around NGC1851, analyzing its velocities and chemical composition to understand its origin, and finds evidence supporting a halo of stars possibly linked to a tidally-disrupted dwarf galaxy.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed chemical and kinematic analysis of the NGC1851 halo, supporting its association with the cluster and suggesting a dwarf galaxy origin.

Findings

Stars linked to NGC1851 are present up to 2.5 tidal radii.

Velocity distribution matches Galactic models, no additional sub-structures detected.

Halo stars share similar metallicities and element abundances with the cluster.

Abstract

NGC1851 is surrounded by a stellar component that extends more than ten times beyond the tidal radius. Although the nature of this stellar structure is not known, it has been suggested to be a sparse halo of stars or associated with a stellar stream. We analyse the nature of this intriguing stellar component surrounding NGC1851 by investigating its radial velocities and chemical composition, in particular in comparison with those of the central cluster analysed in a homogeneous manner. In total we observed 23 stars in the halo with radial velocities consistent with NGC1851, and for 15 of them we infer [Fe/H] abundances. Our results show that: (i) stars dynamically linked to NGC1851 are present at least up to ~2.5 tidal radii, supporting the presence of a halo of stars surrounding the cluster; (ii) apart from the NGC1851 radial velocity-like stars, our observed velocity distribution agrees with that expected from Galactic models, suggesting that no other sub-structure (such as a stream) at different radial velocities is present in our field; (iii) the chemical abundances for the s-process elements Sr and Ba are consistent with the s-normal stars observed in NGC1851; (iv) all halo stars have metallicities, and abundances for the other studied elements Ca, Mg and Cr, consistent with those exhibited by the cluster. The complexity of the whole NGC1851 cluster+halo system may agree with the scenario of a tidally-disrupted dwarf galaxy in which NGC1851 was originally embedded.