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The central density cusp of the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy |
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| Authors: | L Monaco M Bellazzini F R Ferraro E Pancino |
| Institution: | INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste, Via Tiepolo 11, 34131, Trieste, Italy;INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Bologna, via Ranzani 1, 40127, Bologna, Italy;Universitàdi Bologna, Dipartimento di Astronomia, via Ranzani 1, 40127, Bologna, Italy |
| Abstract: | 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. |
| Keywords: | stars: Population II galaxies: dwarf Local Group galaxies: nuclei |