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Observations of a Magellanic Corona

Author

Listed:
  • Dhanesh Krishnarao

    (Space Telescope Science Institute
    Johns Hopkins University
    Colorado College)

  • Andrew J. Fox

    (Space Telescope Science Institute)

  • Elena D’Onghia

    (University of Wisconsin–Madison)

  • Bart P. Wakker

    (University of Wisconsin–Madison)

  • Frances H. Cashman

    (Space Telescope Science Institute)

  • J. Christopher Howk

    (University of Notre Dame)

  • Scott Lucchini

    (University of Wisconsin–Madison)

  • David M. French

    (Space Telescope Science Institute)

  • Nicolas Lehner

    (University of Notre Dame)

Abstract

The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) are the closest massive satellite galaxies of the Milky Way. They are probably on their first passage on an infalling orbit towards our Galaxy1 and trace the continuing dynamics of the Local Group2. Recent measurements of a high mass for the LMC (Mhalo ≈ 1011.1–11.4 M⊙)3–6 imply that the LMC should host a Magellanic Corona: a collisionally ionized, warm-hot gaseous halo at the virial temperature (105.3–5.5 K) initially extending out to the virial radius (100–130 kiloparsecs (kpc)). Such a corona would have shaped the formation of the Magellanic Stream7, a tidal gas structure extending over 200° across the sky2,8,9 that is bringing in metal-poor gas to the Milky Way10. Here we show evidence for this Magellanic Corona with a potential direct detection in highly ionized oxygen (O+5) and indirectly by means of triply ionized carbon and silicon, seen in ultraviolet (UV) absorption towards background quasars. We find that the Magellanic Corona is part of a pervasive multiphase Magellanic circumgalactic medium (CGM) seen in many ionization states with a declining projected radial profile out to at least 35 kpc from the LMC and a total ionized CGM mass of log10(MH II,CGM/M⊙) ≈ 9.1 ± 0.2. The evidence for the Magellanic Corona is a crucial step forward in characterizing the Magellanic group and its nested evolution with the Local Group.

Suggested Citation

  • Dhanesh Krishnarao & Andrew J. Fox & Elena D’Onghia & Bart P. Wakker & Frances H. Cashman & J. Christopher Howk & Scott Lucchini & David M. French & Nicolas Lehner, 2022. "Observations of a Magellanic Corona," Nature, Nature, vol. 609(7929), pages 915-918, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:609:y:2022:i:7929:d:10.1038_s41586-022-05090-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05090-5
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