arXiv subjects

Chengye Cao

Publications and source records attributed to Chengye Cao.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

GASTRO library II: Exploring Chemical Bimodalities in Disk Galaxies with GSE-like Mergers and Massive Star-forming Clumps

We use several smoothed particle hydrodynamics+N-body models as part of the GASTRO library to study the role of high-density star-forming clumpy regions and a single merger on the formation of the $\alpha$-rich and $\alpha$-poor populations in the disk galaxies. These experiments are tailored to mimic what is expected to be the Gaia-Sausage/Enceladus (GSE) accretion event, which occurred circa 10 Gyr ago in the Milky Way (MW). We find that either an early clumpy phase or a retrograde merger significantly reduces the star formation rate (SFR) of the disk, giving rise to a chemical bimodality qualitatively similar to the MW's. The decrease of the SFR as the cause of the chemical bimodality is consistent with previous idealized and cosmological simulations. On the other hand, a prograde radial merger does not significantly modify the SFR of the disk, resulting in no clear chemical bimodality. We further show that stars originating from the inner regions ($R_{form}<4$ kpc) do not create the disk's chemical bimodality, although they can enhance it. Finally, only the models with an early clumpy phase can produce a significant fraction of old, age $>11$ Gyr, $\alpha-$poor stars with disk-like orbits, similar to what has been recently observed in the MW. Our results strengthen the case of clumpy disky galaxies observed at redshift $z\approx 1-2$ as likely progenitors of our Galaxy.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

A 3D Chemodynamical Census of Inner-Galaxy Metal-poor Giants to [Fe/H]~-3.5

The earliest assembly of the Milky Way remains poorly understood, yet the spatial, chemical, and kinematic properties of its most metal-poor stars provide a unique fossil record of its proto-Galaxy phase. Understanding how this ancient component formed is essential for linking near-field Galactic archaeology to high-redshift galaxy evolution. We construct the currently largest 3D map of inner-Galaxy metal-poor giants by combining several narrow/medium-band photometric surveys, reaching metallicities down to $\mathrm{[Fe/H]}\sim-3.5$. Our final sample contains 5,095,676 giants, including 1,717,610 stars with $\mathrm{[Fe/H]}<-1$. Across $-4\le \mathrm{[Fe/H]}<-1$, the density distribution reveals a centrally concentrated, flattened spheroidal component extending to $r_{\rm gc}\sim15$ kpc, together with a prominent overdensity near $X\sim-5$ kpc that is dominated by metal-poor stars on disklike orbits, with a kinematically hot background also present. The selection-function-corrected metallicity distribution function shows a distinct, very metal-poor component around $\mathrm{[Fe/H]}\sim-2.7$ that becomes most prominent at 1$<r_{\rm gc}<$3 kpc. Stars with $-3.5\lesssim\mathrm{[Fe/H]}\lesssim-1.4$ exhibit weak net rotation and low rotational support within $r_{\rm gc}<15$ kpc. Finally, we briefly note that the centrally enhanced very metal-poor component could be qualitatively consistent with one or more early dissipative build-up episodes (e.g., high-$z$ compaction/"blue-nugget" phases) as one possible interpretation.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Formation of the Two-Armed Phase Spiral from Multiple External Perturbations

Recent studies using the Gaia DR3 data have revealed a two-armed phase spiral in the $Z-V_Z$ phase space in the inner disk. In this study, we present new features of the two-armed phase spiral revealed by the Gaia Data and a new mechanism to explain such features with multiple external perturbations. By segmenting the Gaia DR3 RVS catalog based on $J_{\phi}$ (or $R_{g}$) and $\theta_\phi$, we confirm the existence of the clear two-armed phase spiral in the inner disk. Moreover, we identify a different two-armed phase spiral pattern at slightly larger radii, resembling a weak secondary branch along with the prominent major branch. At a given radius, with the azimuthal angle increasing, we observe a systematic transition of the two-armed phase spiral, with the significance of one branch weakened and another branch enhanced. This two-armed phase spiral may be due to the overlapping of distinct one-armed phase spirals. At different radii, the perturbation times estimated from each branch of the two-armed phase spiral are $\sim 320$ Myr and $\sim 500$ Myr, respectively, suggesting that the Galactic disk could be impacted by double external perturbers separated by $\sim 180$ Myr. We also performed test particle simulations of the disk perturbed by two satellite galaxies, which successfully generated a two-armed phase spiral similar to the observation. Both the observation and simulation results suggest that the signature in the $Z-V_Z$ phase space of earlier perturbations may not be completely erased by the more recent one.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Observational Constraints of Radial Migration in the Galactic Disc Driven by the Slowing Bar

Radial migration is an important dynamical effect that has reshaped the Galactic disc, but its origin has yet to be elucidated. In this work, we present evidence that resonant dragging by the corotation of a decelerating bar could be the main driver of radial migration in the Milky Way disc. Using a test particle simulation, we demonstrate this scenario explains the two distinct age-metallicity sequences observed in the solar vicinity: the plateauing upper sequence is interpreted as stars dragged outwards by the expanding corotation of the decelerating bar and the steeper lower sequence as stars formed locally around the solar circle. The upper migrated sequence dominates at guiding radii around the current corotation radius of the bar, $R\sim7\,\mathrm{kpc}$, but rapidly dies away beyond this where the mechanism cannot operate. This behaviour naturally explains the radial dependence of the $\mathrm{[\alpha/Fe]}$-bimodality, in particular the truncation of the high-$\mathrm{[\alpha/Fe]}$ disc beyond the solar circle. Under our proposed radial migration scenario, we constrain the Milky Way bar's pattern speed evolution using the age-metallicity distribution of stars currently trapped at corotation. We find the bar likely formed with an initial pattern speed of $60-100$ km s$^{-1}$ kpc$^{-1}$ and began decelerating $6-8$ Gyr ago at a rate $-\dot{\Omega}/\Omega^2\sim0.0025-0.0040$ (where the quoted ranges include systematic uncertainties).

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

Radial Wave in the Galactic Disk: New Clues to Discriminate Different Perturbations

Decoding the key dynamical processes that shape the Galactic disk structure is crucial for reconstructing the Milky Way's evolution history. The second Gaia data release unveils a novel wave pattern in the $L_Z-\langle V_R\rangle$ space, but its formation mechanism remains elusive due to the intricate nature of involved perturbations and the challenges in disentangling their effects. Utilizing the latest Gaia DR3 data, we find that the $L_Z-\langle V_R\rangle$ wave systematically shifts toward lower $L_Z$ for dynamically hotter stars with larger $J_Z$ values. The amplitude of this phase shift between stars of different dynamical hotness ($\Delta L_Z$) peaks at around $\mathrm{2100\,km\,s^{-1}\,kpc}$. To differentiate the role of different perturbations, we perform three sets of test particle simulations, wherein a satellite galaxy, transient spiral arms, and a bar plus the transient spiral arms act as the sole perturber, respectively. Under the satellite impact, the phase shift amplitude $\Delta L_Z$ decreases toward higher $L_Z$, which we interpret through a toy model of radial phase mixing. While neither the transient spiral arms nor the bar generates an azimuthally universal phase shift variation pattern, combining the bar and spirals generates a characteristic $\Delta L_Z$ peak at the 2:1 Outer Lindblad Resonance (OLR) of the bar, qualitatively resembling the observed feature. Therefore, the $L_Z-\langle V_R\rangle$ wave is more likely of internal origin. Furthermore, linking the $\Delta L_Z$ peak to the 2:1 OLR offers a novel approach to constraining the pattern speed of the Galactic bar, supporting the long/slow bar model.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2020

Periodicity search for Pulsar Binaries with TESS

Pulsar binaries, in particular redback systems, provide good sources to study the pulsar wind flow and its interaction with the companion stars. {\it Fermi}-LAT have proposed probable pulsar binary candidates in its catalogs. To identify pulsar binary sources from the catalog, orbital modulation search of binary candidates is an effective way. TESS observes in survey mode for a large part of the sky and thus provide an excellent data set to periodicity search of pulsar binary candidates by observing the flux variation, thought to mainly come from the stellar companion. Using TESS data we look for flux modulation of five pulsar binaries (or candidates) with reported orbital periods, including PSR J1023+0038, 3FGL J0523.3-2528, 3FGL J0212.1+5320, 3FGL J0744.1-2523 and PSR J1417-4402, demonstrating that TESS photometric data are very useful in identifying periodicities of redback-like systems. This method can be effective in searches for new pulsar binaries or similar binary systems in the future.

astro-ph.HE↗