Structure and substructure in the stellar halo of the Milky Way

Pila Diez, B. (2015)

Doctoral Thesis

In this thesis we present research on the stellar halo of our Galaxy. In particular we focus on measuring the shape and profile of the stellar halo through photometric techniques and main sequence turnoff point star counts. We also present a cross-correlation algorithm that can detect stellar overdensities in the halo (streams or satellites) in Colour Magnitude Diagrams with only two photometric filters and no control field. We use this algorithm to characterize different streams and the vicinity of Globular clusters in search for associated stellar populations. Finally we also search for new substructure in the Kilo Degree Survey fields of Data Releases 1 and 2 and find signatures of the major substructures known in the halo.

• Galaxy
• Galaxy structure
• Stellar halo
• Milky Way
• Stellar streams
• Photometry

• All authors: Pila Diez, B.
• Supervisor: Kuijken, K.H.
• Co-supervisor: Tolstoy, E.
• Committee: Röttgering, H.J.A.; Portegies Zwart, S.F.; Brown, A.G.A.; Hoekstra, H.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Leiden Observatory, Faculty of Science, Leiden University
• Date: 2015-06-16
• ISBN (print): 9789090290805