M51's spiral structure
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
- Alabama Univ., University, AL (USA)
The M51 system (NGC 5194/5195) provides an excellent problem both in spiral structure and in galaxy interactions. We present an analytic study of a computer experiment on the excitation mechanisms for M51's spiral arms and whether or not a halo is important for these mechanisms. This work extends previous numerical studies of the M51 system by including self-gravitation in a two component disk: gas' and stars', and a dark halo. The analytic study provides two new observational constraints: the time ({approx}70-84 million years ago) and position angle of perigalacticon (300{degree}). By using these constraints and a simple conic approximation, the search for the companion's possible orbit is greatly simplified. This requires fewer N-body simulations than a fully self-gravitating orbit search. 8 refs., 4 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/DP; NSF
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 7000131
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-90-432; CONF-891278--1; ON: DE90007624; CNN: RII8610669
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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