Signature of a Dark Ultra-compact Dwarf Galaxy Transiting the Milky Way Disk

We report the discovery of a vertical velocity anomaly (VVA) in the stellar component of the Galactic disk, consistent with the impact of a dark, ultra-compact dwarf galaxy (UCD)-sized object plunging into the Milky Way. The anomaly spatially coincides with a suite of gaseous disturbances -- including an \Hone\ void, a molecular shell (CO 16.134--0.553), and a vertical \Hone\ filament -- previously interpreted as signatures of a dark matter subhalo (DMSH) collision. Analysis of Gaia DR2 astrometry reveals a statistically significant vertical velocity dip co-located with these features, supporting a dynamical origin. The absence of a luminous source at the filament's terminus suggests a dark or failed UCD. These results provide rare observational evidence for a low-mass DMSH, with implications for the substructure of dark matter halos and constraints on the $Λ$CDM model.

Publication Details

Journal
ArXiv.org
Published
2025-08-27
Primary Topic
Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping
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article
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article

Signature of a Dark Ultra-compact Dwarf Galaxy Transiting the Milky Way Disk

ArXiv.org
Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping
article

Signature of a Dark Ultra-compact Dwarf Galaxy Transiting the Milky Way Disk

article en

Abstract

We report the discovery of a vertical velocity anomaly (VVA) in the stellar component of the Galactic disk, consistent with the impact of a dark, ultra-compact dwarf galaxy (UCD)-sized object plunging into the Milky Way. The anomaly spatially coincides with a suite of gaseous disturbances -- including an \Hone\ void, a molecular shell (CO 16.134--0.553), and a vertical \Hone\ filament -- previously interpreted as signatures of a dark matter subhalo (DMSH) collision. Analysis of Gaia DR2 astrometry reveals a statistically significant vertical velocity dip co-located with these features, supporting a dynamical origin. The absence of a luminous source at the filament's terminus suggests a dark or failed UCD. These results provide rare observational evidence for a low-mass DMSH, with implications for the substructure of dark matter halos and constraints on the $Λ$CDM model.

ArXiv.org
Openalex Percentile: Top 60%
Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping
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Signature of a Dark Ultra-compact Dwarf Galaxy Transiting the Milky Way Disk · ArXiv.org (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS