Context. Merger debris is expected to populate the stellar haloes of galaxies. In the case of the Milky Way, this debris should be apparent as clumps in a space defined by the orbital integrals of motion of the stars. Aims. Our aim is to develop a data-driven and statistics-based method for finding these clumps in integrals-of-motion space for nearby halo stars and to evaluate their significance robustly. Methods. We used data from Gaia EDR3, extended with radial velocities from ground-based spectroscopic surveys, to construct a sample of halo stars within 2.5 kpc from the Sun. We applied a hierarchical clustering method that makes exhaustive use of the single linkage algorithm in three-dimensional space defined by the commonly used integrals of motion energy E, together with two components of the angular momentum, Lz and L⊥. To evaluate the statistical significance of the clusters, we compared the density within an ellipsoidal region centred on the cluster to that of random sets with similar global dynamical properties. By selecting the signal at the location of their maximum statistical significance in the hierarchical tree, we extracted a set of significant unique clusters. By describing these clusters with ellipsoids, we estimated the proximity of a star to the cluster centre using the Mahalanobis distance. Additionally, we applied the HDBSCAN clustering algorithm in velocity space to each cluster to extract subgroups representing debris with different orbital phases. Results. Our procedure identifies 67 highly significant clusters (> 3σ), containing 12% of the sources in our halo set, and 232 subgroups or individual streams in velocity space. In total, 13.8% of the stars in our data set can be confidently associated with a significant cluster based on their Mahalanobis distance. Inspection of the hierarchical tree describing our data set reveals a complex web of relations between the significant clusters, suggesting that they can be tentatively grouped into at least six main large structures, many of which can be associated with previously identified halo substructures, and a number of independent substructures. This preliminary conclusion is further explored in a companion paper, in which we also characterise the substructures in terms of their stellar populations. Conclusions. Our method allows us to systematically detect kinematic substructures in the Galactic stellar halo with a data-driven and interpretable algorithm. The list of the clusters and the associated star catalogue are provided in two tables available at the CDS.

Context. The local stellar halo of the Milky Way contains the debris from several past accretion events. Aims. Here we study in detail the structure and properties of nearby debris associated with the Helmi streams, which was originally identified as an overdensity in integrals of motion space. Methods. We use 6D phase-space information from Gaia EDR3 combined with spectroscopic surveys, and we analyse the orbits and frequencies of the stars in the streams using various Galactic potentials. We also explore how the Helmi streams constrain the flattening, q, of the Galactic dark matter halo. Results. We find that the streams are split into substructures in integrals of motion space, most notably into two clumps in angular momentum space. The clumps have consistent metallicity distributions and stellar populations, supporting a common progeny. In all the realistic Galactic potentials explored, the Helmi streams’ stars depict a diffuse distribution close to Ωz/ΩR ∼ 0.7. At the same time, the reason for the substructure in angular momentum space appears to be a Ωz : Ωϕ resonance close to 1:1. This resonance is exactly 1:1 in the case where the (density) flattening of the dark halo is q = 1.2. For this halo shape, the substructure in angular momenta is also long-lasting. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that the structure of the Galactic potential leaves a clear imprint on the properties of phase-mixed debris streams.

Context. The Helmi streams are a kinematic substructure whose progenitor is likely a dwarf galaxy. Although 20 years have passed since their discovery, it is still unclear whether their members are chemically distinguishable from other halo stars in the Milky Way. Aims. We aim to precisely characterize the chemical properties of the Helmi streams. Methods. We analyzed high-resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio spectra for 11 Helmi stream stars through a line-by-line abundance analysis. We compared the derived abundances to homogenized literature abundances of the other halo stars, including those belonging to other kinematic substructures, such as Gaia-Enceladus and Sequoia. Results. Compared to typical halo stars, the Helmi stream members clearly show low values of [X/Fe] in elements produced by massive stars, such as Na and α-elements. This tendency is seen down to metallicities of at least [Fe/H] ∼ − 2.2, suggesting type Ia supernovae already started to contribute to the chemical evolution at this metallicity. We find that the [α/Fe] ratio does not evolve significantly with metallicity, making the Helmi stream stars less distinguishable from Gaia-Enceladus stars at [Fe/H] ≳ − 1.5. The almost constant but low value of [α/Fe] might be indicative of quiescent star formation with low efficiency at the beginning and bursty star formation at later times. We also find extremely low values of [Y/Fe] at low metallicity, providing further support for the claim that light neutron-capture elements are deficient in Helmi streams. While Zn is deficient at low metallicity, it shows a large spread at high metallicity. The origin of the extremely low Y abundances and Zn variations remains unclear. Conclusions. The Helmi stream stars are distinguishable from the majority of the halo stars if homogeneously derived abundances are compared.

Context. In an accompanying paper, we present a data-driven method for clustering in ‘integrals of motion’ space and apply it to a large sample of nearby halo stars with 6D phase-space information. The algorithm identified a large number of clusters, many of which could tentatively be merged into larger groups. Aims. The goal here is to establish the reality of the clusters and groups through a combined study of their stellar populations (average age, metallicity, and chemical and dynamical properties) to gain more insights into the accretion history of the Milky Way. Methods. To this end, we developed a procedure that quantifies the similarity of clusters based on the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test using their metallicity distribution functions, and an isochrone fitting method to determine their average age, which is also used to compare the distribution of stars in the colour–absolute magnitude diagram. Also taking into consideration how the clusters are distributed in integrals of motion space allows us to group clusters into substructures and to compare substructures with one another. Results. We find that the 67 clusters identified by our algorithm can be merged into 12 extended substructures and 8 small clusters that remain as such. The large substructures include the previously known Gaia-Enceladus, Helmi streams, Sequoia, and Thamnos 1 and 2. We identify a few over-densities that can be associated with the hot thick disc and host a small metal-poor population. Especially notable is the largest (by number of member stars) substructure in our sample which, although peaking at the metallicity characteristic of the thick disc, has a very well populated metal-poor component, and dynamics intermediate between the hot thick disc and the halo. We also identify additional debris in the region occupied by Sequoia with clearly distinct kinematics, likely remnants of three different accretion events with progenitors of similar masses. Although only a small subset of the stars in our sample have chemical abundance information, we are able to identify different trends of [Mg/Fe] versus [Fe/H] for the various substructures, confirming our dissection of the nearby halo. Conclusions. We find that at least 20% of the halo near the Sun is associated to substructures. When comparing their global properties, we note that those substructures on retrograde orbits are not only more metal-poor on average but are also older. We provide a table summarising the properties of the substructures, as well as a membership list that can be used for follow-up chemical abundance studies for example.

Context. Debris from past merger events is expected and also known, to some extent, to populate the stellar halo near the Sun. Aims. We aim to identify and characterise such merger debris using Gaia DR3 data supplemented with metallicity and chemical abundance data from LAMOST LRS and APOGEE for halo stars within 2.5 kpc from the Sun. Methods. We utilised a single linkage-based clustering algorithm to identify over-densities in the integrals of motion space that could be due to merger debris. Combined with metallicity information and chemical abundances, we characterised these statistically significant over-densities. Results. We find that the local stellar halo contains seven main dynamical groups, with some of them shown to be in situ and some of accreted origin, most of which are already known. We report the discovery of a new substructure, which we dubbed ED-1. In addition, we find evidence for 11 independent smaller clumps, 5 of which are new: ED-2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, and typically rather tight dynamically. We identify their narrow range of metallicities, along with their abundances when available, as well as their locations in the integrals of motion space, which are suggestive of an accreted origin. Conclusions. The local halo contains an important amount of substructure of both in situ and accreted origins.