Ancient Relics in the Milky Way: The DECam MAGIC Survey Uncovers the Galaxy’s Most Metal-Poor Stars
Vinicius Placco and collaborators used the DECam MAGIC Survey to identify six extremely metal-poor stars in the distant Milky Way halo, including one ultra metal-poor star. Spectroscopic analysis confirmed their low metallicities and revealed one likely formed from a single early supernova. The study validates MAGIC’s photometric methods and shows how such stars trace the Galaxy’s earliest chemical enrichment and evolutionary history.
A New Map of Our Galactic Neighborhood: The DECam Field of Streams
Ferguson and Shipp present a new map of the Milky Way’s stellar halo using DECam data, revealing numerous stellar streams and substructures. By selecting old, metal-poor stars at various distances, they highlight how our galaxy was built from smaller systems. Their work sets the stage for even deeper surveys with the upcoming LSST.