Stellar substructures in the Galactic disc and halo: Properties, origins, and evolution

TL;DR

This study analyzes the properties, origins, and evolution of stellar substructures in the Milky Way's disc and halo using Gaia and LAMOST data, revealing their ages, chemical compositions, and formation histories.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive characterization of various stellar substructures, distinguishing their in situ or accreted origins and detailing their chemical evolution.

Findings

Thin and thick disc star formation peaked at 5.5 and 12.5 Gyr ago.

In situ populations like Splash and HD are about 13 and 12 Gyr old.

Accreted structures like Gaia-Enceladus and Sequoia are around 12-12.5 Gyr old.

Abstract

Spatial, kinematic, and orbital properties, along with ages and chemical compositions of the thin disc, thick disc, and various stellar substructures in the halo, are studied based on data from the LAMOST and Gaia surveys. The star formation in the Galactic thin and thick disc, with peak metallicities of $-0.20$ and $-0.45$ dex, is found to have peaked about 5.5 and 12.5 Gyr ago, respectively. The thin disc is also found to have experienced an initial star formation burst about 12.5 Gyr ago. The pro-grade population Splash and hot-disc (HD), with peak metallicity of about $-0.60$ and $-0.43$, are found to be about 13.03 and 12.21 Gyr old, respectively, with peak eccentricity of 0.70 and 0.35, are understood to be of in situ origin. The Gaia-Enceladus/Sausage (GE/S), Thamnos, and Sequoia, with peak metallicity of about $-1.31$, $-1.36$, and $-1.56$, are found to be about 11.66, 12.89, and 12.18 Gyr old, respectively, and are understood to be remnants of dwarf galaxies merged with the Milky Way. The HD, Splash, and Thamnos are found to have experienced chemical evolution similar to the thick disc while GE/S, Sequoia, and Helmi stream are found to have experienced distinct chemical enrichment of iron and $\alpha$-process elements.