Encounters Between M33 and Present-Day M31 Satellites Hint at a Previous Group Accretion

TL;DR

This study uses orbital modeling to suggest that some M31 satellites, Pisces and Andromeda XVI, may have previously been satellites of M33, indicating past group infall and satellite exchange between M31 and M33.

Contribution

It provides new evidence for past satellite exchange and group infall scenarios between M31 and M33 through orbital analysis of specific dwarf galaxies.

Findings

42% of And XVI orbits support previous M33 satellite status

Over 70% of orbits show Pisces and And XVI had a close approach after M33 interaction

Both dwarfs experienced flybys with M33 at velocities exceeding escape speed within 1-2 Gyr

Abstract

This work investigates whether two known Andromeda (M31) satellites, Pisces (LGS 3) and Andromeda XVI, have interacted with M33, M31's most massive satellite. $\Lambda$CDM predictions imply a handful of satellite galaxies around M33, yet few M33 satellites have been found and confirmed despite its high mass. We use proper motions combined with backward orbit integration in a semi-analytic potential to constrain plausible interaction scenarios for Pisces and And XVI. Both dwarfs are currently M31 satellites, defined as being inside its virial radius. However, our results show that, in our fiducial mass models, 42% (And XVI) and 60% (Pisces) of dwarf orbits support that they were previously satellites of M33 (i.e., once inside its virial radius). Both dwarfs had fly-by encounters with M33 at relative velocities greater than M33's escape speed within the past 1-2 Gyr. In over 70% of orbits, Pisces and And XVI also had a close approach with each other post-M33 interaction and share an orbital plane, suggesting possible past group accretion. We explore a range of mass combinations for M31 and M33, finding that this primarily regulates the likelihood that the dwarfs were satellites of M33 in the past, while upholding conclusions of recent flybys about M33. These close interactions provide new evidence for past satellite exchange and/or group infall scenarios between M31 and M33. Such interactions also affect comparisons to observational surveys that define satellites primarily by their distance relative to host galaxies.