Astrophysics (Index)About

stellar stream

(long group of co-moving stars)

A stellar stream is a long, narrow association of stars in the Milky Way halo (or halos of similar galaxies). They are interpreted as disrupted satellite galaxies (dwarf galaxies) or globular clusters, pulled apart by tidal forces. The terms tidal arm and tidal stream are also used, generally for such a stream still attached to a discernible dwarf galaxy or globular cluster. Milky Way stellar streams are currently being identified as large-scale surveys of stars (e.g., Gaia) are providing information to determine distances to many stars, so such groupings are evident. Study of stellar streams offers clues to the history of the galaxy and its former globular clusters and satellites. They are also useful for refining theories of dark matter and gravity (e.g., MOND).


(stars,object type,star clusters)
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_kinematics#Stellar_streams
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_stellar_streams
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgo_Stellar_Stream
http://www.mpia.de/homes/stellarhalos2018-loc/sh2018/slides/02.07.Malhan.pdf

Referenced by pages:
dark matter filament
dark matter halo
Field of Streams
galaxy interaction
GD-1
Giant Stellar Stream (GSS)
Milky Way subgroup
Monoceros Ring
NGC 7727
Orphan stream
Panoramic Imaging Survey of Centaurus and Sculptor (PISCeS)
polar-ring galaxy
Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy (Sgr dE)
Southern Stellar Stream Spectroscopic Survey (S5)
stellar halo
stellar overdensity
tidal arm
Virgo Stellar Stream

Index