Open AccessThe central density cusp of the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy
Author(s) -
Monaco L.,
Bellazzini M.,
Ferraro F. R.,
Pancino E.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2004.08579.x
Subject(s) - physics , sagittarius , astrophysics , dwarf spheroidal galaxy , dwarf galaxy , galaxy , astronomy , cusp (singularity) , globular cluster , elliptical galaxy , interacting galaxy , geometry , mathematics
We present an analysis of the density profile in the central region of the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy. A strong density enhancement of Sgr stars is observed. The position of the peak of the detected cusp is indistinguishable from the centre of M54. The photometric properties of the cusp are fully compatible with those observed in the nuclei of dwarf elliptical galaxies, indicating that the Sgr dSph would appear as a nucleated galaxy independently of the presence of M54 at its centre.