Stellar substructures in the Galactic disc and halo: Properties, origins, and evolution

Abstract

Spatial, kinematic, and orbital properties, along with ages and chemical compositions of the thin disc, thick disc, and various stellar substructures in the halo, are studied based on data from the LAMOST and Gaia surveys. The star formation in the Galactic thin and thick disc, with peak metallicities of − 0.20 and − 0.45 dex, is found to have peaked about 5.5 and 12.5 Gyr ago, respectively. The thin disc is also found to have experienced an initial star formation burst about 12.5 Gyr ago. The pro-grade population Splash and hot-disc (HD), with peak metallicity of about − 0.60 and − 0.43, are found to be about 13.03 and 12.21 Gyr old, respectively, with peak eccentricity of 0.70 and 0.35, are understood to be of in situ origin. The Gaia-Enceladus/Sausage (GE/S), Thamnos and Sequoia, with peak metallicity of about − 1.31, − 1.36, and − 1.56, are found to be about 11.66, 12.89, and 12.18 Gyr, respectively, and are understood to be remnants of dwarf galaxies merged with the Milky Way. The HD, Splash, and Thamnos have experienced chemical evolution similar to the thick disc, while GE/S, Sequoia, and Helmi stream have experienced distinct chemical enrichment of iron and \(\alpha \)-process elements.