Recent proper-motion measurements of the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (LMC and SMC, respectively) by Kallivayalil and coworkers suggest that the 3D velocities of the Clouds are substantially higher (~100 km s-1) than previously estimated and now approach the escape velocity of the Milky Way (MW). Previous studies have also assumed that the Milky Way can be adequately modeled as an isothermal sphere to large distances. Here we reexamine the orbital history of the Clouds using the new velocities and a ΛCDM-motivated MW model with virial mass Mvir = 1012 M☉ (e.g., Klypin and coworkers). We conclude that the LMC and SMC are either currently on their first passage about the MW or, if the MW can be accurately modeled by an isothermal sphere to distances 200 kpc (i.e., Mvir > 2 × 1012 M☉), that their orbital period and apogalacticon distance must be a factor of 2 larger than previously estimated, increasing to 3 Gyr and 200 kpc, respectively. A first passage scenario is consistent with the fact that the LMC and SMC appear to be outliers when compared to other satellite galaxies of the MW: they are irregular in appearance and are moving faster. We discuss the implications of this orbital analysis for our understanding of the star formation history, the nature of the warp in the MW disk and the origin of the Magellanic Stream (MS), a band of H I gas trailing the LMC and SMC that extends ~100° across the sky. Specifically, as a consequence of the new orbital history of the Clouds, the origin of the MS may not be explainable by current tidal and ram pressure stripping models.

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Are the Magellanic Clouds on Their First Passage about the Milky Way

We present proper motions for the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (LMC and SMC) based on three epochs of Hubble Space Telescope data, spanning a ~7 yr baseline, and centered on fields with background QSOs. The first two epochs, the subject of past analyses, were obtained with ACS/HRC, and have been reanalyzed here. The new third epoch with WFC3/UVIS increases the time baseline and provides better control of systematics. The three-epoch data yield proper-motion random errors of only 1%-2% per field. For the LMC this is sufficient to constrain the internal proper-motion dynamics, as will be discussed in a separate paper. Here we focus on the implied center-of-mass proper motions: μ W, LMC = –1.910 ± 0.020 mas yr–1, μ N, LMC = 0.229 ± 0.047 mas yr–1, and μ W, SMC = –0.772 ± 0.063 mas yr–1, μ N, SMC = –1.117 ± 0.061 mas yr–1. We combine the results with a revised understanding of the solar motion in the Milky Way to derive Galactocentric velocities: v tot, LMC = 321 ± 24 km s–1 and v tot, SMC = 217 ± 26 km s–1. Our proper-motion uncertainties are now dominated by limitations in our understanding of the internal kinematics and geometry of the Clouds, and our velocity uncertainties are dominated by distance errors. Orbit calculations for the Clouds around the Milky Way allow a range of orbital periods, depending on the uncertain masses of the Milky Way and LMC. Periods 4 Gyr are ruled out, which poses a challenge for traditional Magellanic Stream models. First-infall orbits are preferred (as supported by other arguments as well) if one imposes the requirement that the LMC and SMC must have been a bound pair for at least several Gyr.

http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0004-637X/764/2/161/pdf

Third-epoch magellanic cloud proper motions. i. hubble space telescope/wfc3 data and orbit implications

We suggest that the high-velocity clouds (HVCs) are large clouds, with typical diameters of 25 kpc, containing 3×107 M☉ of neutral gas and 3×108 M☉ of dark matter, falling onto the Local Group; altogether the HVCs contain 1010 M☉ of neutral gas. Our reexamination of the Local Group hypothesis for the HVCs connects their properties to the hierarchical structure formation scenario and to the gas seen in absorption toward quasars. We show that at least one HVC complex (besides the Magellanic Stream) must be extragalactic at a distance of more than 40 kpc from the Galactic center, with a diameter greater than 20 kpc and a mass of more than 108 M☉. We discuss a number of other clouds that are positionally associated with the Local Group galaxies, and we show that the entire ensemble of HVCs is inconsistent with a Galactic origin. The observed kinematics imply rather that the HVCs are falling toward the Local Group barycenter. We simulate the dynamical evolution of the Local Group and find that material falling onto the Local Group reproduces the location of two of the three most significant groupings of clouds and the kinematics of the entire cloud ensemble (excluding the Magellanic Stream). We interpret the third grouping (the A, C, and M complexes) as the nearest HVC. It is tidally unstable and is falling onto the Galactic disk. We interpret the more distant HVCs as gas contained within dark matter "minihalos" moving along filaments toward the Local Group. Most poor galaxy groups should contain similar H I clouds bound to the group at large distances from the individual galaxies. We suggest that the HVCs are local analogs of the Lyman limit absorbing clouds observed against distant quasars. Our picture implies that the chemical evolution of the Galactic disk is governed by episodic infall of metal-poor HVC gas that only slowly mixes with the rest of the interstellar medium. We argue that there is a Galactic fountain in the Milky Way, but that the fountain does not explain the origin of the HVCs. Our analysis of the H I data leads to the detection of a vertical infall of low-velocity gas toward the plane and implies that the H I disk is not in hydrostatic equilibrium. We suggest that the fountain is manifested mainly by relatively local neutral gas with characteristic velocities of 6 km s-1 rather than 100 km s-1. The Local Group infall hypothesis makes a number of testable predictions. The HVCs should have subsolar metallicities. Their Hα emission should be less than that seen from the Magellanic Stream. The clouds should not be seen in absorption against nearby stars. The clouds should be detectable in both emission and absorption around other galaxy groups. We show that current observations are consistent with these predictions and discuss future tests.

http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1086/306963/pdf

High-Velocity Clouds: Building Blocks of the Local Group

We present proper motions for the Large & Small Magellanic Clouds (LMC & SMC) based on three epochs of \textit{Hubble Space Telescope} data, spanning a $\sim 7$ yr baseline, and centered on fields with background QSOs. The first two epochs, the subject of past analyses, were obtained with ACS/HRC, and have been reanalyzed here. The new third epoch with WFC3/UVIS increases the time baseline and provides better control of systematics. The three-epoch data yield proper motion random errors of only 1-2% per field. For the LMC this is sufficient to constrain the internal proper motion dynamics, as will be discussed in a separate paper. Here we focus on the implied center-of-mass proper motions: mu_W(LMC) = -1.910 +/- 0.020 mas/yr, mu_N(LMC) = 0.229 +/- 0.047 mas/yr, and mu_W(SMC) = -0.772 +/- 0.063 mas/yr, mu_N(SMC) = -1.117 +/- 0.061 mas/yr. We combine the results with a revised understanding of the solar motion in the Milky Way to derive Galactocentric velocities: v_{tot,LMC} = 321 +/- 24 km/s and v_{tot,SMC} = 217 +/- 26 km/s. Our proper motion uncertainties are now dominated by limitations in our understanding of the internal kinematics and geometry of the Clouds, and our velocity uncertainties are dominated by distance errors. Orbit calculations for the Clouds around the Milky Way allow a range of orbital periods, depending on the uncertain masses of the Milky Way and LMC. Periods $\lesssim 4$ Gyr are ruled out, which poses a challenge for traditional Magellanic Stream models. First-infall orbits are preferred (as supported by other arguments as well) if one imposes the requirement that the LMC and SMC must have been a bound pair for at least several Gyr.

Third-Epoch Magellanic Cloud Proper Motions I: HST/WFC3 data and Orbit Implications

We present a novel pair of numerical models of the interaction history between the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (LMC and SMC, respectively) and our Milky Way (MW) in light of recent high-precision proper motions from the Hubble Space Telescope. Given the updated velocities, cosmological simulations of hierarchical structure formation favour a scenario where the Magellanic Clouds (MCs) are currently on their first infall towards our Galaxy. We illustrate here that the observed irregular morphology and internal kinematics of the Magellanic System (in gas and stars) are naturally explained by interactions between the LMC and SMC, rather than gravitational interactions with the MW. These conclusions provide further support that the MCs are completing their first infall to our system. In particular, we demonstrate that the Magellanic Stream, a band of H i gas trailing behind the Clouds 150° across the sky, can be accounted for by the action of LMC tides on the SMC before the system was accreted by the MW. We further demonstrate that the off-centre, warped stellar bar of the LMC, and its one-armed spiral can be naturally explained by a recent direct collision with its lower mass companion, the SMC. Such structures are key morphological characteristics of a class of galaxies referred to as Magellanic Irregulars, the majority of which are not associated with massive spiral galaxies. We infer that dwarf–dwarf galaxy interactions are important drivers for the morphological evolution of Magellanic Irregulars and can dramatically affect the efficiency of baryon removal from dwarf galaxies via the formation of extended tidal bridges and tails. Such interactions are not only important for the evolution of dwarf galaxies but also have direct consequences for the build-up of baryons in our own MW, as LMC-mass systems are believed to be the dominant building blocks of MW-type haloes.

G. T. Wrixon

Papers

An Unusual High-Velocity Hydrogen Feature