English

Identifying resonances of the Galactic bar in Gaia DR2: II. Clues from angle space

Astrophysics of Galaxies 2021-11-29 v2

Abstract

The Milky Way disk exhibits intricate orbit substructure of still-debated dynamical origin. The angle variables (θϕ,θR)(\theta_\phi,\theta_R) -- which are conjugates to the actions (Lz,JR)(L_z,J_R), and describe a star's location along its orbit -- are a powerful diagnostic to identify ll:mm resonances via the orbit shape relation ΔθR/Δθϕ=m/l\Delta \theta_R / \Delta \theta_\phi = -m/l. In the past, angle signatures have been hidden by survey selection effects (SEs). Using test particle simulations of a barred galaxy, we demonstrate that \emph{Gaia} should allow us to identify the Galactic bar's Outer Lindblad Resonance (l=+1,m=2l=+1, m=2, OLR) in angle space. We investigate strategies to overcome SEs. In the angle data of the \emph{Gaia} DR2 RVS sample, we independently identify four candidates for the OLR and therefore for the pattern speed Ωbar\Omega_\text{bar}. The strongest candidate, Ωbar1.4Ω0\Omega_\text{bar}\sim1.4\Omega_0, positions the OLR above the `Sirius' moving group, agrees with measurements from the Galactic center, and might be supported by higher-order resonances around the `Hercules/Horn'. But it misses the classic orbit orientation flip, as discussed in the companion study on actions. The candidate Ωbar1.2Ω0\Omega_\text{bar}\sim1.2\Omega_0 was also suggested by the action-based study, has the OLR at the `Hat', is consistent with \emph{slow bar} models, but still affected by SEs. Weaker candidates are Ωbar=1.6Ω0\Omega_\text{bar}=1.6\Omega_0 and 1.74Ω01.74\Omega_0. In addition, we show that the stellar angles do not support the `Hercules/Horn' being created by the OLR of a \emph{fast bar}. We conclude that -- to resolve if `Sirius' or `Hat' is related to the bar's OLR -- more complex dynamical explanations and more extended data with well-behaved SEs are required.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2011.01233,
  title  = {Identifying resonances of the Galactic bar in Gaia DR2: II. Clues from angle space},
  author = {Wilma H. Trick},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2011.01233},
  year   = {2021}
}

Comments

16 pages, 9 figures (excluding appendices); accepted for publication in MNRAS