A candidate dark matter deficient dwarf galaxy in the Fornax cluster identified through overluminous star clusters

TL;DR

This paper reports the identification of a candidate dark matter deficient dwarf galaxy in the Fornax cluster, characterized by an unusual system of overluminous star clusters, using large-scale survey data and imaging analysis.

Contribution

It introduces a new method to find dark matter deficient dwarf galaxies by analyzing their star cluster systems in survey data.

Findings

Identification of FCC 224 as a candidate dark matter deficient dwarf galaxy

Detection of an unusual population of overluminous star clusters in FCC 224

Initial evidence supporting the galaxy's dark matter deficiency

Abstract

Two low surface brightness (LSB) dwarf galaxies were identified recently as having little or no dark matter (DM), provoking widespread interest in their formation histories. These galaxies also host populous systems of star clusters that are on average larger and more luminous than typical globular clusters (GCs). We report an initial attempt to identify new candidate DM-deficient dwarfs via their unusual GC systems. Using a large catalog of LSB galaxies from the Dark Energy Survey, we inspect their Dark Energy Camera Legacy Survey (DECaLS) imaging and identify FCC 224 as a candidate found on the outskirts of the Fornax cluster. We analyze the GC system using DECaLS and archival Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 imaging, and find an apparent population of overluminous GCs. More detailed follow-up of FCC 224 is in progress.