The disc scale length of the Galaxy

Details The disc scale length of the Galaxy The disc scale length of the Galaxy

Jul 1994

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1994a%26a...287l..21f&link_type=abstract

Astronomy and Astrophysics (ISSN 0004-6361), vol. 287, no. 2, p. L21-L24

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

40

Galactic Structure, Hydrodynamics, Length, Milky Way Galaxy, Solar Neighborhood, Stellar Systems, Approximation, Drift, Kinematics, Populations, Scale Height, Velocity Distribution

Scientific paper

Analytical approximations valid for a cold and vertically self-gravitating stellar disc are substituted for the velocity dispersion gradients occurring in the asymmetric drift Jeans equation. The resulting equation is then solved at a fixed radius to get the self-consistent exponential scale length hR of the given stellar population as a function of its local kinematical parameters. Application to old disc kinematical data in the solar neighborhood leads to a galactic disc scale length of 2.5+0.8-0.6 kpc if a radially constant scale height (hz) is assumed. However, as suggested by Kent et al. (1991), we argue for an outward increasing hz gradient of 30 pc/kpc increases hR to 3.1 kpc. Such short scale lengths do not suggest a small positive gradient of Toomre's Q parameter in the solar neighborhood.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The disc scale length of the Galaxy does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The disc scale length of the Galaxy, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The disc scale length of the Galaxy will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1252278