Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Dec 2004
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004aas...20514202h&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society Meeting 205, #142.02; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 36, p.1581
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
Our close neighboring galaxy at only 16 kpc from the Galactic center, Sagittarius (Sgr) exhibits the most dramatic gravitational stripping of any local galaxies with stellar tidal streams observed extending entirely around the Milky Way. Recent observations in dynamically older sections of the tidal tails demonstrate that extant numerical models of Sgr's orbit are inadequate to fit all available stream data. One interpretation of this data suggests that Sgr's orbit was more distant in the past and is spiraling in toward the Galactic center. This effect can be explained by dynamical friction, the drag force acting on a body as it travels through a field of point masses, a reasonable approximation of the Milky Way halo. Using numerical simulations which take into account dynamical friction, we seek to reproduce the full phase-space distribution of stars in Sgr's streams. This investigation could yield the first direct observation of dynamical friction in action.
Hummels Cameron B.
Johnston Kathryn V.
Law David R.
Majewski Steven R.
No associations
LandOfFree
Observing Dynamical Friction using the Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy's Tidal Streams 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 Observing Dynamical Friction using the Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy's Tidal Streams, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Observing Dynamical Friction using the Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy's Tidal Streams will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1643669