Proper Motions of the Satellites of M31

Abstract

We predict the range of proper motions of 19 satellite galaxies of M31 that would rotationally stabilise the M31 plane of satellites consisting of 15-20 members as identified by Ibata et al. (2013). Our prediction is based purely on the current positions and line-of-sight velocities of these satellites and the assumption that the plane is not a transient feature. These predictions are therefore independent of the current debate about the formation history of this plane. We further comment on the feasibility of measuring these proper motions with future observations by the THEIA satellite mission as well as the currently planned observations by HST and JWST.

Comments: 9 pages, 2 figures, 1 table