Morphology of stellar populations in the Magellanic Clouds using the VMC survey

TL;DR

This study uses near-infrared survey data combined with stellar models to map the distribution of different-aged stars in the Magellanic Clouds, revealing substructures linked to their interaction history.

Contribution

It introduces a method integrating VMC survey data with stellar models to analyze the spatial distribution of stellar populations in the Magellanic Clouds.

Findings

Identification of substructures related to galaxy interactions

Mapping of stellar populations of different ages

Insights into the interaction history of the Magellanic Clouds

Abstract

The Magellanic Clouds are nearby dwarf irregular galaxies that represent a unique laboratory for studying galaxy interactions. Their morphology and dynamics have been heavily influenced by their mutual interactions as well as with their interaction(s) with the Milky Way. We use the VISTA near-infrared YJKs survey of the Magellanic Clouds system (VMC) in combination with stellar partial models of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) and the Milky Way to investigate the spatial distribution of stellar populations of different ages across the Magellanic Clouds. In this contribution, we present the results of these studies that allow us to trace substructures possibly related to the interaction history of the Magellanic Clouds.