We use the rotation curve from Gaia data release (DR) 3 to estimate the mass of the Milky Way. We consider an Einasto density profile to model the dark matter component. We extrapolate and obtain a dynamical mass M=2.75−0.48+3.11×1011M⊙ at 112 kpc. This lower-mass Milky Way is consistent with the significant declining rotation curve, and can provide new insights into our Galaxy and halo inhabitants.
@article{arxiv.2306.05461,
title = {Revisiting mass estimates of the Milky Way},
author = {Yongjun Jiao and Francois Hammer and Haifeng Wang and Jianling Wang and Yanbin Yang},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2306.05461},
year = {2026}
}
Comments
4 pages, 2 figures, Accepted for publication in proceedings of IAU Symposium 379: Dynamical Masses of Local Group Galaxies, Potsdam, March 20-24, 2023