Signature of a Dark Ultra-compact Dwarf Galaxy Transiting the Milky Way Disk

TL;DR

This paper presents evidence of a dark, ultra-compact dwarf galaxy impacting the Milky Way, causing a vertical velocity anomaly and gaseous disturbances, offering insights into dark matter substructure.

Contribution

It provides the first observational evidence linking a dark UCD impact to specific stellar and gaseous features in the Milky Way.

Findings

Detection of a vertical velocity anomaly in the Galactic disk

Identification of gaseous disturbances coinciding with the anomaly

Support for the existence of a dark, non-luminous UCD impacting the galaxy

Abstract

We report the discovery of a vertical velocity anomaly (VVA) in the stellar component of the Galactic disk, consistent with the impact of a dark, ultra-compact dwarf galaxy (UCD)-sized object plunging into the Milky Way. The anomaly spatially coincides with a suite of gaseous disturbances -- including an \Hone\ void, a molecular shell (CO 16.134--0.553), and a vertical \Hone\ filament -- previously interpreted as signatures of a dark matter subhalo (DMSH) collision. Analysis of Gaia DR2 astrometry reveals a statistically significant vertical velocity dip co-located with these features, supporting a dynamical origin. The absence of a luminous source at the filament's terminus suggests a dark or failed UCD. These results provide rare observational evidence for a low-mass DMSH, with implications for the substructure of dark matter halos and constraints on the $\Lambda$CDM model.