Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Nov 1993
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1993apj...417..502h&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal v.417, p.502
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
47
Galaxies: Interactions, Galaxies: Kinematics And Dynamics, Methods: Numerical, Videotapes
Scientific paper
Detailed simulations of tidally induced structure in disk galaxies have either concentrated on specific systems or consisted of a few encounters with relatively small numbers of particles and no self-gravity. Observers need a "dictionary" of simulations that covers many encounter parameters with fine morphological resolution and includes effects of self-gravitation. Observers can then search the dictionary for the parameters that best match a particular observed morphology. Alternatively, the dictionary can be used with observational samples for statistical studies of system parameters. To fill this need, we present a survey of model tidal encounters using a self-gravitating, 180,000 particle, two-component ("stars" and "gas") disk. A wide variety of fascinating morphologies results. There are 86 different encounters that vary orbit tilt, perigalacticon distance, galaxy to companion mass ratio, and the amount of halo dark matter relative to the disk. For morphological comparisons, over 1700 images of the entire survey are available in video form.
While there is a rich variety of tidal structure covering much of this parameter space, some general patterns may be remarked. There is a strong orbital inclination dependence of the symmetry of tidal patterns, most symmetric for planar orbits and nearly one-sided for polar encounters. Retrograde encounters produce only broad fanlike global patterns, but rich small-scale internal structure. In both kinds of encounter, our numerical resolution allows us to track internal spiral structure driven by the outer material arms, especially in the lighter halo simulations. We note also that polar encounters generate series of expanding, essentially nonrotating loops resembling shell structures in some respects.
Burkey Jordan
Byrd Gene Gilbert
Howard Sethanne
Keel William C.
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