Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Sep 1982
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1982apj...260..104s&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal, Part 1, vol. 260, Sept. 1, 1982, p. 104-110. NSF-supported research.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
9
Galactic Nuclei, Galactic Rotation, Interstellar Magnetic Fields, Magnetohydrodynamic Flow, Momentum Transfer, Stellar Mass Ejection, Active Galaxies, Angular Momentum, Elliptical Galaxies, Interstellar Gas, Magnetic Effects, Radial Velocity
Scientific paper
The nuclear fireworks of active galaxies are believed to derive their power from the kinetic energy of gas falling onto a massive central object; mass shed from evolving galactic stars is an obvious source of fuel for this process. But this ejected material shares the galactic rotation, and a centrifugal barrier will prevent it from reaching the nucleus, if its angular momentum is not removed. This paper shows that, if the large-scale galactic magnetic field has a strong enough radial component, magnetic torques can act to spin down the infalling matter. Rotation of the interstellar gas induces a toroidal magnetic field, amd Maxwell stresses remove angular momentum from the flow; gas can then fall inward to the galactic center. In this way, the monster in the nucleus can be fed on gas from a galaxy's own stars. The magnetic fields in M87 and NGC 1275, giant elliptical galaxies which are accreting from an intracluster medium, appear to be strong enough to allow magnetic braking.
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