Extreme Tidal Stripping May Explain the Overmassive Black Hole in Leo I: a Proof of Concept

TL;DR

This study proposes that Leo I's overmassive black hole and current properties can be explained by extreme tidal stripping from the Milky Way, supported by analytical models and N-body simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel dynamical hypothesis that extreme tidal disruption can account for Leo I's black hole and stellar mass, supported by detailed simulations.

Findings

Mass loss of 32-57% from a single pericenter passage.

Up to 90% mass loss with two passages in simulations.

Reproduction of Leo I's current properties within uncertainties.

Abstract

A recent study found dynamical evidence of a supermassive black hole of $\sim 3 \times 10^{6} \, \rm M_\odot$ at the center of Leo I, the most distant dwarf spheroidal galaxy of the Milky Way. This black hole, comparable in mass to the Milky Way's Sgr A*, places the system $>2$ orders of magnitude above the standard $M_\bullet-M_{\star}$ relation. We investigate the possibility, from a dynamical standpoint, that Leo I's stellar system was originally much more massive and, thus, closer to the relation. Extreme tidal disruption from one or two close passages within the Milky Way's virial radius could have removed most of its stellar mass. A simple analytical model suggests that the progenitor of Leo I could have experienced a mass loss in the range of $32\% - 57\%$ from a single pericenter passage, depending on the stellar velocity dispersion estimate. This mass loss percentage increases to the range $66\% - 78\%$ if the pericenter occurs at the minimum distance allowed by current orbital reconstructions. Detailed N-body simulations show that the mass loss could reach $\sim 90\%$ with up to two passages, again with pericenter distances compatible with the minimum value allowed by Gaia data. Despite very significant uncertainties in the properties of Leo I, we reproduce its current position and velocity dispersion, as well as the final stellar mass enclosed in $1$ kpc ($\sim 5\times 10^6 \, \rm M_\odot$) within a factor $< 2$. The most recent tidal stream is directed along our line of sight toward Leo I, making it difficult to detect. Evidence from this extreme tidal disruption event could be present in current Gaia data in the form of extended tidal streams.