Abstract Details
| Name: Dhanush S R Affiliation: Indian Institute of Astrophysics Conference ID: ASI2025_406 Title : Tracing the change in structure and kinematics of the Small Magellanic Cloud due to interactions Authors and Co-Authors : S. R. Dhanush 1,2, A. Subramaniam 1, S. Subramanian 1 Abstract Type : Poster Abstract Category : Galaxies and Cosmology Abstract : We present a detailed kinematic model of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) using the Gaia DR3 proper motion (PM) data for distinct stellar populations, including young and old stars and star clusters. Our model reveals an almost edge-on SMC aligned across the north-south directions. Notably, the center-of-mass PM of the 1–2 Gyr old population exhibits a larger southward drift than other age groups. The kinematic structure varies with age, showing a flattened ellipsoidal distribution for older stars, while the younger stars form a rotating, elongated disk. We find substantial line-of-sight depth for the SMC, reaching over 30 kpc, with the eastern side closer to us. Residual PM maps highlight anomalies in the eastern, southeastern, southern, and western regions, with the newly detected anomaly in the southeast. Our analysis of the internal rotation in the young population shows pronounced tangential anisotropy in the RA direction relative to Dec. Our models suggest a significant influence of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) on the SMC's present structure, where the LMC-SMC interactions play a great role in shaping the SMC's morphology. |