Theoretical modeling reveals age-dependent radial migration in the Galactic thin disk, indicating a simplified framework for galactic transport histories.
Key Points
Develop a minimal, closed-form analytic model to constrain stellar radial migration in cold, phase-mixed galactic disks using metallicity gradient residuals.
Derived a closed-form analytic distribution for stellar metallicity residuals by combining initial birth variations with dynamical radial transport in cold galactic disks.
Fitted the analytic model to observed [Fe/H] residuals as a function of stellar age for stars in the Milky Way thin disk.
Determined the root-mean-square amplitude of radial migration as <(δRg)^2>^(1/2) ≈ (2.79 ± 0.07) kpc × [τ / (6 Gyr)]^(1/2).
Demonstrated consistency with complex numerical chemodynamical models while resolving covariances and degeneracies inherent to numerical orbital transport frameworks.