Tidal Stripping of Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies

We have constructed a series of models to investigate the influence of tidal forces on the formation and evolution of dwarf spheroidal galaxies. These Nbody/SPH models consist of a model for an isolated dwarf spheroidal galaxy which is placed on an orbit in a Milky-Way sized -analytical- dark matter halo. We have varied orbital parameters, time of entrance into the potential and the dwarf progenitor total mass, totalling sixty models. The results indicate that dynamically hot dwarf spheroidal galaxies are robust against tides, unless they are on very close and eccentric orbits. In general there is an increase in star formation, caused by additional gas being funneled in to the galaxy due to tidal compression. The morphology of the galaxies (again, unless on very close and eccentric orbits) is however virtually unaltered.