Vertical distribution of Galactic disk stars : II. The surface mass density in the Galactic plane

TL;DR

This study measures the vertical distribution and surface mass density of the Galactic disk using high-resolution spectra of red clump stars, providing new dynamical insights into the disk's structure and mass distribution near the Sun.

Contribution

It offers the first dynamical measurement of the total disk mass thickness and refines the surface mass density of the Galactic disk within 800 pc.

Findings

Surface mass density within 800 pc is 76 Msol/pc^2.

Total disk mass density at solar radius is 67 Msol/pc^2.

Disk thickness is measured to be 390 pc.

Abstract

High resolution spectra data of red clump stars towards the NGP have been obtained with the high resolution spectrograph Elodie at OHP for Tycho-2 selected stars. Combined with Hipparcos local analogues, we determine both the gravitational force law perpendicaular to the Galactic plane, and the total surface mass density and thickness of the Galactic disk. The surface mass density of the Galactic disk within 800 pc derived from this analysis is Sigma(|z|<800pc)=76 Msol.pc-2 and, removing the dark halo contribution, the total disk mass density is Sigma0=67 Msol.pc-2 at solar radius. The thickness of the total disk mass distribution is dynamicaly measured for the first time and is found to be 390pc in relative agreement with the old stellar disk scale height. All dynamical evidences concerning the structure of the disk (its local volume density -i.e. the Oort limit-, its surface density and its thickness) are compatible with our knowledge of the corresponding stellar disk properties.