A chemo-dynamical link between the Gj\"oll stream and NGC 3201

TL;DR

This study confirms the association between the Gj"oll stellar stream and the globular cluster NGC 3201 through chemical analysis, supporting hierarchical galaxy formation models.

Contribution

It provides the first chemical tagging evidence linking the Gj"oll stream to NGC 3201, using high-resolution spectroscopy to confirm their association.

Findings

Two stream stars chemically match NGC 3201.

One stream star is a non-member based on radial velocity.

Chemical tagging supports hierarchical galaxy formation.

Abstract

Recent analysis of the second data release of Gaia has revealed a number of new stellar streams surrounding the Milky Way. It has been suggested that one of these streams, Gj\"oll, is associated with the globular cluster NGC 3201, but thus far the association has only been based on kinematics of the stream stars. In this work we identify five likely stream members in the Gaia data that are bright enough for high-resolution spectroscopic follow-up with the Harlan J. Smith telescope at McDonald Observatory. One star is ruled out as a member based on its radial velocity. Abundance analysis of the remaining four kinematic members reveals a good chemical match to NGC 3201 for two of the stars, driven by their similar Al and $\alpha$-element abundances. Of the remaining two, one shows no chemical similarity to NGC 3201 and is likely an unassociated Milky Way halo field star, while the other exhibits a similar Al abundance but has somewhat lower $\alpha$-element abundances. The chemical tagging of stars in the Gj\"oll stream to NGC 3201 confirms this association and provides direct proof of the hierarchical formation of the Milky Way.