Revisiting mass estimates of the Milky Way

Abstract

We use the rotation curve from Gaia data release (DR) 3 to estimate the mass of the Milky Way. We consider an Einasto density profile to model the dark matter component. We extrapolate and obtain a dynamical mass $M=2.75_{-0.48}^{+3.11}\times 10^{11}{M}_{\odot }$ at $112$ kpc. This lower-mass Milky Way is consistent with the significant declining rotation curve, and can provide new insights into our Galaxy and halo inhabitants.

4 pages, 2 figures, Accepted for publication in proceedings of IAU Symposium 379: Dynamical Masses of Local Group Galaxies, Potsdam, March 20-24, 2023