Bar-driven spiral waves in disk galaxies

Journal Article · Sat Apr 15 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/156054· OSTI ID:6843533

Huntley, J M; Sanders, R H; Roberts, Jr, W W

We investigate the response of rotating disks of gas to barlike perturbations in galactic gravitational fields. In particular, two-dimensional, time-dependent, numerical hydrodynamical calculations have been performed in order to determine the steady-state response of disks of gas to rotating, barlike perturbations. Two types of barlike perturbations are considered here: oval distortions in the axisymmetric gravitational field of the disk, and heterogeneous prolate spheroids. The calculations reveal that, in the absence of gaseous self-gravity, a viscous, differentially rotating disk of gas responds to a rotating barlike perturbation by forming a central gas bar with two trailing spiral waves. The local phase of the gas response is primarily a function of the number and spacing of the principal resonances in the disk. This result may be understood in terms of particle orbit theory. The gas response to barlike perturbations also depends on the relative strength and the effective axial ratio of the bar. These shocks correspond in position to the long, narrow dust lanes observed in many barred spiral galaxies.

• Research Organization: Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Virginia
• OSTI ID: 6843533
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 221:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC GASES
DISTURBANCES
FLUID MECHANICS
FLUIDS
GALAXIES
GASES
GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS
HYDRODYNAMICS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
MOTION
ROTATION
SPHEROIDS
STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS