The proper motion of the large Magellanic Cloud: a reanalysis
Author
dc.contributor.author
Pedreros, Mario H.
Author
dc.contributor.author
Costa Hechenleitner, Edgardo
es_CL
Author
dc.contributor.author
Méndez Bussard, René Alejandro
es_CL
Admission date
dc.date.accessioned
2013-12-30T20:35:26Z
Available date
dc.date.available
2013-12-30T20:35:26Z
Publication date
dc.date.issued
2006-03
Cita de ítem
dc.identifier.citation
The Astronomical Journal, 131:1461–1470, 2006 March
en_US
Identifier
dc.identifier.uri
https://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/125922
Abstract
dc.description.abstract
We have determined the proper motion (PM) of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) relative to four background
quasi-stellar objects, combining data from two previous studies made by our group and new observations carried out
in three epochs not included in the original investigations. The new observations provided a significant increase in the
time base and the number of frames, relative to what was available in our previous studies. We have derived a total
LMC PM of ¼ (þ2:0 0:1) mas yr 1, with a position angle of ¼ 62N4 3N1. Our new values agree well with
most results obtained by other authors, and we believe we have clarified the large discrepancy between previous
results from our group. Using published values of the radial velocity for the center of the LMC, in combination with
the transverse velocity vector derived from our measured PM, we have calculated the absolute space velocity of the
LMC. This value, along with some assumptions regarding the mass distribution of the Galaxy, has in turn been used
to calculate the mass of theMilkyWay. Our measured PM also indicates that the LMC is not a member of a proposed
stream of galaxies with similar orbits around our Galaxy.