Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Aug 1989
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1989stin...9020916h&link_type=abstract
Presented at the Astrophysics Meeting, Tuscalosa, AL, 3-7 Dec. 1989
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Computerized Simulation, Galactic Structure, Orbits, Spiral Galaxies, Approximation, Gravitation, Mass Distribution
Scientific paper
The M51 system (NGC 5194/5195) provides an excellent problem both in spiral structure and in galaxy interactions. We present an analytic study of a computer experiment on the excitation mechanisms for M51's spiral arms and whether or not a halo is important for these mechanisms. This work extends previous numerical studies of the M51 system by including self-gravitation in a two component disk: gas and stars, and a dark halo. The analytic study provides two new observational constraints: the time (approx. 70 to 84 million years ago) and position angle of perigalacticon (300 degrees). By using these constraints and a simple conic approximation, the search for the companion's possible orbit is greatly simplified. This requires fewer N-body simulations than a fully self-gravitating orbit search.
Byrd Gene Gilbert
Howard Stephen
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