The observed properties of dwarf galaxies in and around the Local Group

The observed properties of dwarf galaxies in and around the Local Group

December 22 2011 | Alan W. McConnachie
The article presents a comprehensive review of the positional, structural, and dynamical parameters of dwarf galaxies within and around the Local Group. Over 100 nearby galaxies, all within 3 Mpc of the Sun, are identified, spanning a wide range of environments, from satellite systems of the Milky Way (MW) and Andromeda (M31) to quasi-isolated dwarfs in the outer regions of the Local Group. The study discusses the observational understanding of these galaxies, including their distances, velocities, magnitudes, mean metallicities, and structural and dynamical characteristics. The author collates and homogenizes these parameters, providing tables that will be updated regularly to serve as a current resource. The article explores the membership and spatial extent of the MW and M31 subgroups, the morphological diversity of the sample, and the scaling relations and mean stellar metallicity trends defined by the dwarfs. It also considers the origin of a possible "floor" in central surface brightness and stellar mean metallicity at faint magnitudes. The research highlights the importance of near-field cosmology, the role of environment in dwarf galaxy evolution, and the potential for future discoveries through advanced observational techniques.The article presents a comprehensive review of the positional, structural, and dynamical parameters of dwarf galaxies within and around the Local Group. Over 100 nearby galaxies, all within 3 Mpc of the Sun, are identified, spanning a wide range of environments, from satellite systems of the Milky Way (MW) and Andromeda (M31) to quasi-isolated dwarfs in the outer regions of the Local Group. The study discusses the observational understanding of these galaxies, including their distances, velocities, magnitudes, mean metallicities, and structural and dynamical characteristics. The author collates and homogenizes these parameters, providing tables that will be updated regularly to serve as a current resource. The article explores the membership and spatial extent of the MW and M31 subgroups, the morphological diversity of the sample, and the scaling relations and mean stellar metallicity trends defined by the dwarfs. It also considers the origin of a possible "floor" in central surface brightness and stellar mean metallicity at faint magnitudes. The research highlights the importance of near-field cosmology, the role of environment in dwarf galaxy evolution, and the potential for future discoveries through advanced observational techniques.
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[slides and audio] THE OBSERVED PROPERTIES OF DWARF GALAXIES IN AND AROUND THE LOCAL GROUP