Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2005-01-03
Astrophys.J. 626 (2005) 823-843
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
49 pages, 22 figures, to appear in ApJ (July, 2005), version with high quality color images can be fond in http://research.a
Scientific paper
10.1086/430205
We model gravitational collapse leading to star formation in a wide range of isolated disk galaxies using a three-dimensional, smoothed particle hydrodynamics code. The model galaxies include a dark matter halo and a disk of stars and isothermal gas. Absorbing sink particles are used to directly measure the mass of gravitationally collapsing gas. They reach masses characteristic of stellar clusters. In this paper, we describe our galaxy models and numerical methods, followed by an investigation of the gravitational instability in these galaxies. Gravitational collapse forms star clusters with correlated positions and ages, as observed, for example, in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Gravitational instability alone acting in unperturbed galaxies appears sufficient to produce flocculent spiral arms, though not more organized patterns. Unstable galaxies show collapse in thin layers in the galactic plane; associated dust will form thin dust lanes in those galaxies, in agreement with observations. (abridged)
Klessen Ralf S.
Li Yuexing
Mac Low Mordecai-Mark
No associations
LandOfFree
Star Formation in Isolated Disk Galaxies. I. Models and Characteristics of Nonlinear Gravitational Collapse 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 Star Formation in Isolated Disk Galaxies. I. Models and Characteristics of Nonlinear Gravitational Collapse, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Star Formation in Isolated Disk Galaxies. I. Models and Characteristics of Nonlinear Gravitational Collapse will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-282531