| Authors | Zucker, D. B.; Belokurov, V.; Evans, N. W.; Kleyna, J. T.; Irwin, M. J.; Wilkinson, M. I.; Fellhauer, M.; Bramich, D. M.; Gilmore, G.; Newberg, H. J.; Yanny, B.; Smith, J. A.; Hewett, P. C.; Bell, E. F.; Rix, H. -W.; Gnedin, O. Y.; Vidrih, S.; Wyse, R. F. G.; Willman, B.; Grebel, E. K.; Schneider, D. P.; Beers, T. C.; Kniazev, A. Y.; Barentine, J. C.; Brewington, H.; Brinkmann, J.; Harvanek, M.; Kleinman, S. J.; Krzesinski, J.; Long, D.; Nitta, A.; Snedden, S. A. |
| Abstract | In this Letter, we study a localized stellar overdensity in the constellation of Ursa Major, first identified in Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) data and subsequently followed up with Subaru imaging. Its color-magnitude diagram (CMD) shows a well-defined subgiant branch, main sequence, and turnoff, from which we estimate a distance of ~30 kpc and a projected size of ~250×125 pc2. The CMD suggests a composite population with some range in metallicity and/or age. Based on its extent and stellar population, we argue that this is a previously unknown satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, hereby named Ursa Major II (UMa II) after its constellation. Using SDSS data, we find an absolute magnitude of MV~-3.8, which would make it the faintest known satellite galaxy. UMa II's isophotes are irregular and distorted with evidence for multiple concentrations; this suggests that the satellite is in the process of disruption. Based in part on data collected at Subaru Telescope, which is operated by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. |
