Spectroscopic confirmation of the dwarf spheroidal galaxy d0944+71 as a
  member of the M81 group of galaxies
  We use Keck/DEIMOS spectroscopy to measure the first velocity and metallicity
of a dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxy beyond the Local Group using resolved
stars. Our target, d0944+71, is a faint dSph found in the halo of the massive
spiral galaxy M81 by Chiboucas et al. We coadd the spectra of 27 individual
stars and measure a heliocentric radial velocity of $-38\pm10$~km/s. This
velocity is consistent with d0944+71 being gravitationally bound to M81. We
coadd the spectra of the 23 stars that are consistent with being red giant
branch stars and measure an overall metallicity of ${\rm [Fe/H]}=-1.3 \pm 0.3$
based on the calcium triplet lines. This metallicity is consistent with
d0944+71 following the metallicity$-$luminosity relation for Local Group dSphs.
We investigate several potential sources of observational bias but find that
our sample of targeted stars is representative of the metallicity distribution
function of d0944+71 and any stellar contamination due to seeing effects is
negligible. The low ellipticity of the galaxy and its position in the
metallicity$-$luminosity relation suggest that d0944+71 has not been affected
by strong tidal stripping.
