A FUNDAMENTAL PLANE of SPIRAL STRUCTURE in DISK GALAXIES

Benjamin L. Davis; Daniel Kennefick; Julia Kennefick; Kyle B. Westfall; Douglas W. Shields; Russell Flatman; Matthew T. Hartley; Joel C. Berrier; Thomas P.K. Martinsson; Rob A. Swaters

doi:10.1088/2041-8205/802/1/L13

A FUNDAMENTAL PLANE of SPIRAL STRUCTURE in DISK GALAXIES

Benjamin L. Davis, Daniel Kennefick, Julia Kennefick, Kyle B. Westfall, Douglas W. Shields, Russell Flatman, Matthew T. Hartley, Joel C. Berrier, Thomas P.K. Martinsson, Rob A. Swaters

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Spiral structure is the most distinctive feature of disk galaxies and yet debate persists about which theory of spiral structure is correct. Many versions of the density wave theory demand that the pitch angle be uniquely determined by the distribution of mass in the bulge and disk of the galaxy. We present evidence that the tangent of the pitch angle of logarithmic spiral arms in disk galaxies correlates strongly with the density of neutral atomic hydrogen in the disk and with the central stellar bulge mass of the galaxy. These three quantities, when plotted against each other, form a planar relationship that we argue should be fundamental to our understanding of spiral structure in disk galaxies. We further argue that any successful theory of spiral structure must be able to explain this relationship.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	L13
Journal	Astrophysical Journal Letters
Volume	802
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1088/2041-8205/802/1/L13
State	Published - Mar 20 2015

Keywords

galaxies: evolution
galaxies: fundamental parameters
galaxies: kinematics and dynamics
galaxies: spiral
galaxies: structure

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

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10.1088/2041-8205/802/1/L13

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title = "A FUNDAMENTAL PLANE of SPIRAL STRUCTURE in DISK GALAXIES",

abstract = "Spiral structure is the most distinctive feature of disk galaxies and yet debate persists about which theory of spiral structure is correct. Many versions of the density wave theory demand that the pitch angle be uniquely determined by the distribution of mass in the bulge and disk of the galaxy. We present evidence that the tangent of the pitch angle of logarithmic spiral arms in disk galaxies correlates strongly with the density of neutral atomic hydrogen in the disk and with the central stellar bulge mass of the galaxy. These three quantities, when plotted against each other, form a planar relationship that we argue should be fundamental to our understanding of spiral structure in disk galaxies. We further argue that any successful theory of spiral structure must be able to explain this relationship.",

keywords = "galaxies: evolution, galaxies: fundamental parameters, galaxies: kinematics and dynamics, galaxies: spiral, galaxies: structure",

author = "Davis, {Benjamin L.} and Daniel Kennefick and Julia Kennefick and Westfall, {Kyle B.} and Shields, {Douglas W.} and Russell Flatman and Hartley, {Matthew T.} and Berrier, {Joel C.} and Martinsson, {Thomas P.K.} and Swaters, {Rob A.}",

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doi = "10.1088/2041-8205/802/1/L13",

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AU - Davis, Benjamin L.

AU - Kennefick, Daniel

AU - Kennefick, Julia

AU - Westfall, Kyle B.

AU - Shields, Douglas W.

AU - Flatman, Russell

AU - Hartley, Matthew T.

AU - Berrier, Joel C.

AU - Martinsson, Thomas P.K.

AU - Swaters, Rob A.

PY - 2015/3/20

Y1 - 2015/3/20

N2 - Spiral structure is the most distinctive feature of disk galaxies and yet debate persists about which theory of spiral structure is correct. Many versions of the density wave theory demand that the pitch angle be uniquely determined by the distribution of mass in the bulge and disk of the galaxy. We present evidence that the tangent of the pitch angle of logarithmic spiral arms in disk galaxies correlates strongly with the density of neutral atomic hydrogen in the disk and with the central stellar bulge mass of the galaxy. These three quantities, when plotted against each other, form a planar relationship that we argue should be fundamental to our understanding of spiral structure in disk galaxies. We further argue that any successful theory of spiral structure must be able to explain this relationship.

AB - Spiral structure is the most distinctive feature of disk galaxies and yet debate persists about which theory of spiral structure is correct. Many versions of the density wave theory demand that the pitch angle be uniquely determined by the distribution of mass in the bulge and disk of the galaxy. We present evidence that the tangent of the pitch angle of logarithmic spiral arms in disk galaxies correlates strongly with the density of neutral atomic hydrogen in the disk and with the central stellar bulge mass of the galaxy. These three quantities, when plotted against each other, form a planar relationship that we argue should be fundamental to our understanding of spiral structure in disk galaxies. We further argue that any successful theory of spiral structure must be able to explain this relationship.

KW - galaxies: evolution

KW - galaxies: fundamental parameters

KW - galaxies: kinematics and dynamics

KW - galaxies: spiral

KW - galaxies: structure

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A FUNDAMENTAL PLANE of SPIRAL STRUCTURE in DISK GALAXIES

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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