Tracing the Galactic Past: Linking Stars to Reticulum II’s Tidal History

Researchers traced the origins of r-process-enhanced stars in the Milky Way halo to the ultra-faint dwarf galaxy Reticulum II (Ret-II). Using advanced simulations and star catalogs, they identified 93 stars likely ejected from Ret-II over 11.5 billion years as it orbited the galaxy. This study highlights Ret-II’s role in the Milky Way’s formation and provides insights into the origins of heavy elements through cosmic events like neutron star mergers.