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Stellar candidates in the Ursa Minor (UMi) dwarf galaxy have been found using a new Bayesian algorithm applied to Gaia EDR3 data. Five of these targets are located in the extreme outskirts of UMi, from similar to 5 to 12 elliptical half-light radii (r h), where r h (UMi) = 17.32 +/- 0.11 arcmin, and have been observed with the high-resolution Gemini Remote Access to CFHT ESPaDOnS Spectrograph at the Gemini North telescope. Precise radial velocities (sRV < 2 km s-1) and metallicities (s[ Fe/H] < 0.2 dex) confirm their memberships of UMi. Detailed analysis of the brightest and outermost star (Target 1, at similar to 12r h), yields precision chemical abundances for the a(Mg, Ca, and Ti), odd-Z (Na, K, and Sc), Fe-peak (Fe, Ni, and Cr), and neutron-capture (Ba) elements. With data from the literature and APOGEE data release 17, we find the chemical patterns in UMi are consistent with an outside-in star-formation history that includes yields from core-collapse supernovae, asymptotic giant branch stars, and Type Ia supernovae. Evidence for a knee in the [a/Fe] ratios near [Fe/H] similar to-2.1 indicates a low star-formation efficiency similar to that in other dwarf galaxies. Detailed analysis of the surface number density profile shows evidence that UMi's outskirts have been populated by tidal effects, likely as a result of completing multiple orbits around the Galaxy.
Pascale Jablonka, Yves Revaz, Mahsa Sanati
Nicolas Lawrence Etienne Longeard