Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jan 2012
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2012aas...21934616m&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #219, #346.16
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
The interacting Whirlpool galaxy M51 is a favorite test-bed for spiral arm density wave theories, and studies of the spiral morphology and kinematics show evidence for the offset alignment of the gaseous, young and old stellar tracers predicted by theory, as well as strong non-circular gas streaming motions. Now, the unparalleled high resolution of the PAWS (PdBI Arcsecond Whirlpool Survey, PI:Schinnerer) data, combined with exceptional multi-wavelength coverage, makes it an ideal target for revisiting the density wave picture and for examining the influence of bar and spiral instabilities on secular evolution. We present an updated view of the current dynamical state of the system, with particular emphasis on GMC scales. Gas kinematics at these scales--available for the first time in a spiral outside the Local Group--are a critical tool for assessing the influence of spiral arms on the organization of the ISM. To interpret the role of pressure and shear on GMC formation and evolution, we combine these data with a 2D map of spiral arm torques newly derived from the stellar mass distribution mapped with S4G 3.6 and 4.5 μm images. We also compare gas inflow and star formation rates throughout the disk, assembling a view of the spatial-dependence of consumption timescales for the current gas reservoir.
Colombo Diego
Dobbs Clare
Dumas Gaelle
Garcia-Burillo Santiago
Hughes Arthur
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