Light element variations within the different age-metallicity populations in the nucleus of the Sagittarius dwarf

TL;DR

This study uses chromosome maps to analyze light element variations in different age-metallicity populations near M54, revealing insights into the formation history of the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy's nucleus.

Contribution

It demonstrates that chromosome maps can distinguish light element variations across populations, shedding light on their formation processes.

Findings

Old, metal-poor population shows light element variations.

Young and intermediate-age populations do not show these variations.

Nucleus formed through in-situ star formation and globular cluster accretion.

Abstract

The cluster M54 lies at the centre of the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy, and therefore may be the closest example of a nuclear star cluster. Either in-situ star formation, inspiralling globular clusters, or a combination have been invoked to explain the wide variety of stellar sub-populations in nuclear star clusters. Globular clusters are known to exhibit light element variations, which can be identified using the photometric construct called a chromosome map. In this letter, we create chromosome maps for three distinct age-metallicity sub-populations in the vicinity of M54. We find that the old, metal-poor population shows the signature of light element variations, while the young and intermediate-age metal rich populations do not. We conclude that the nucleus of Sagittarius formed through a combination of in-situ star formation and globular cluster accretion. This letter demonstrates that properly constructed chromosome maps of iron-complex globular clusters can provide insight into the formation locations of the different stellar populations.