A new resonance-like feature in the outer disc of the Milky Way

Abstract :

Modern astrometric and spectroscopic surveys have revealed a wealth of structure in the phase space of stars in the Milky Way, with evidence of resonance features and non-equilibrium processes. Using the third Gaia data release, we present evidence of a new resonance-like feature in the outer disc of the Milky Way. The feature is most evident in the angular momentum distribution of the young classical Cepheids, a population for which we can derive accurate distances over much of the Galactic disc. We then searched for similar features in the outer disc using a much larger sample of red giant stars, as well as a compiled list of over 31 million stars with spectroscopic line-of-sight velocity measurements. While much less evident in these two older samples, the distribution of stars in action-configuration space suggests that resonance features are present here as well. The position of the feature in action-configuration space suggests that the new feature may be related to the Galactic bar, but other possibilities are discussed.

Publication : Astronomy & Astrophysics, Volume 670, id.A10, 13 pp.
DOI : 10.1051/0004-6361/202244605
Bibcode : 2023A&A...670A..10D
Keywords : Galaxy: kinematics and dynamics; Galaxy: structure; Galaxy: disk; stars: variables: Cepheids; Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies