The VMC survey – XXXIX. Mapping metallicity trends in the Small Magellanic Cloud using near-infrared passbands
Abstract
We have derived high-spatial-resolution metallicity maps covering ∼42 deg2 across the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) in an attempt to understand its metallicity distribution and gradients up to a radius of ∼4○. Using the near-infrared VISTA Survey of the Magellanic Clouds, our data cover a thrice larger area compared with previous studies. We identify red giant branch (RGB) stars in spatially distinct Y, (Y − Ks) colour–magnitude diagrams. In any of our selected subregions, the RGB slope is used as an indicator of the average metallicity, based on calibration to metallicity using spectroscopic data. The metallicity distribution across the SMC is unimodal and can be fitted by a Gaussian distribution with a peak at [Fe/H] = −0.97 dex (σ[Fe/H] = 0.05 dex). We find evidence of a shallow gradient in metallicity (−0.031 ± 0.005 dex deg−1) from the Galactic Centre to radii of 2○–2${_{.}^{\circ}}$5, followed by a flat metallicity trend from ∼3${_{.}^{\circ}}$5 to 4○. We find that the SMC’s metallicity gradient is radially asymmetric. It is flatter towards the east than to the west, hinting at mixing and/or distortion of the spatial metallicity distribution (within the inner 3○), presumably caused by tidal interactions between the Magellanic Clouds.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jul 24, 2020
- Source ID
- 10.1093/mnras/staa2140
Entities
People
- Florian Niederhofer
- J. M. Oliveira
- Jacobus van Loon
- Kenji Bekki
- Maria-Rosa L. Cioni
- Richard de Grijs
- Samyaday Choudhury
- Stefano Rubele
- V. Ripepi
- Valentin Ivanov
Organizations
- Astronomical Observatory of Padova
- European Research Council
- European Southern Observatory
- International Space Science Institute
- Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam
- Macquarie University
- National Institute for Astrophysics
- Science and Technology Facilities Council
- University of Keele
- University of Padua
- University of Western Australia