Fueling starburst galaxies with gas-rich mergers

Details Fueling starburst galaxies with gas-rich mergers Fueling starburst galaxies with gas-rich mergers

Apr 1991

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1991apj...370l..65b&link_type=abstract

Astrophysical Journal, Part 2 - Letters (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 370, April 1, 1991, p. L65-L68. University of California-supporte

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

552

Galactic Evolution, Galactic Nuclei, Galactic Structure, Intergalactic Media, Star Formation, Starburst Galaxies, Angular Momentum, Astronomical Models, Gas Dynamics, Gravitational Effects

Scientific paper

The dynamics of gas are modeled in a merger of two disk/halo galaxies of equal mass using a hybrid N-body/gasdynamics code. Violent tidal forces acting on the disks draw out extended tails and trigger the formation of central bars. As such bars form, gas in the inner half of each disk loses most of its angular momentum through gravitational torques and falls into a compact cloud within the center of the galaxy. These nuclear gas clouds merge when their parent galaxies do, resulting in the rapid assembly of about 5 billion solar masses of gas, which may plausibly be identified with the large central clouds seen in CO observations of galaxies such as NGC 520. Violent star formation in such central gas clouds, which seems inevitable, offers a likely explanation for luminous IRAS galaxies and may contribute significantly to the central stellar populations of merger remnants. If some of the nuclear gas can continue to lose angular momentum, it may be able to fuel or even form a central black hole, resulting in a radio galaxy or possibly even a quasar.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Fueling starburst galaxies with gas-rich mergers 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 Fueling starburst galaxies with gas-rich mergers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fueling starburst galaxies with gas-rich mergers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1790202