Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2008-05-08
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
16 pages, 13 figures, accepted for pubblication in MNRAS
Scientific paper
10.1111/j.1365-2966.2008.13446.x
The ejection of the gas out of the disk in late-type galaxies is related to star formation and is due mainly to Type II supernovae. In this paper we studied in detail the development of the Galactic fountains in order to understand their dynamical evolution and their influence in the redistribution of the freshly delivered metals over the disk. To this aim, we performed a number of 3D hydrodynamical radiative cooling simulations of the gas in the Milky Way where the whole Galaxy structure, the Galactic differential rotation and the supernovae explosions generated by a single OB association are considered. A typical fountain powered by 100 Type II supernovae may eject material up to $\sim 2$ kpc which than collapses back mostly in form of dense, cold clouds and filaments. The majority of the gas lifted up by the fountains falls back on the disk remaining within a radial distance $\Delta R=0.5$ kpc from the place where the fountain originated. This localized circulation of disk gas does not influence the radial chemical gradients on large scale, as required by the chemical models of the Milky Way which reproduce the metallicity distribution without invoking large fluxes of metals. Simulations of multiple fountains fuelled by Type II supernovae of different OB associations will be presented in a companion paper.
Brighenti Fabrizio
D'Ercole Annibale
Dal Pino Elisabete M. de Gouveia
Melioli Claudio
No associations
LandOfFree
Hydrodynamical simulations of Galactic fountains I: evolution of single fountains 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 Hydrodynamical simulations of Galactic fountains I: evolution of single fountains, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hydrodynamical simulations of Galactic fountains I: evolution of single fountains will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-52808