Spectroscopy of Segue 1

While the combined size and luminosity of Segue 1 are consistent with either a globular cluster or a dwarf galaxy, we present spectroscopic evidence that this object is a dark matter-dominated dwarf galaxy. We identify 24 stars as members of Segue 1 with a mean heliocentric recession velocity of 206+/-1.3km/s.

Although Segue 1 spatially overlaps the leading arm of the Sagittarius stream, its velocity is 100km/s different from that predicted for recent Sagittarius tidal debris at this position. Using spectral synthesis modeling, we derive a metallicity for the single red giant branch star in our sample of [Fe/H]=-3.3+/-0.2dex. We conclude that Segue 1 is the least luminous of the ultra-faint galaxies recently discovered around the Milky Way, and is thus the least-luminous known galaxy.