Chemodynamics of Boötes I with S<SUP>5</SUP>: Revised Velocity Gradient, Dark Matter Density, and Galactic Chemical Evolution Constraints

doi:10.3847/1538-4357/ae2fe5

Chemodynamics of Boötes I with S⁵: Revised Velocity Gradient, Dark Matter Density, and Galactic Chemical Evolution Constraints

We combine new spectroscopic observations of the ultrafaint dwarf (UFD) galaxy Boötes I (Boo I) from the Southern Stellar Stream Spectroscopic Survey (S⁵) with ∼15 yr of archival spectroscopic data to create the largest sample of stellar kinematics and metallicities to date for any Milky Way UFD. Our combined sample includes 148 members extending out to ∼7 half-light radii (r_h), including 24 newly confirmed members, 18 binary candidates, 15 RR Lyrae stars, and 92 [Fe/H] measurements. Using this larger and more spatially extended sample, we provide updated constraints on Boo I's systemic properties, including its radial population gradients. Properly accounting for perspective rotation effects in a UFD for the first time, we detect a 4σ line-of-sight velocity gradient of 1.2 ± 0.3 km s⁻¹ rh−1 aligned along Boo I's orbit and discuss its potential tidal origins. We also infer a metallicity gradient of −0.10 ± 0.02 dex rh−1 in agreement with previous studies. Using an axisymmetric Jeans model, we provide updated constraints on Boo I's dark matter density profile, which weakly favors a cusped ( γ=1.0−0.6+0.5 ) dark matter profile. Lastly, we reanalyze Boo I's metallicity distribution function with a one-zone galactic chemical evolution model and place new constraints on its rapid, inefficient star formation and strong galactic outflows.