Project:
Spiral-Vortex Structures of
Galaxies
Some results
Galaxies which were
observed in the project
Location of vortex
centers
Laboratory
simulations
Line-of-sight
velocity field of NGC 157
Vortex structure of
NGC 157
Vortex structure of
our Galaxy
References
Line-of-sight velocity fields of gas with high
precision and resolution are planned to be obtained for the sample of galaxies with
regular spiral structure to reveal systematic deviation from circular rotation and to
analyze it on the base of hydrodynamical models, which are in progress. Observations will
be performed by 3D-spectroscopy method at 6-meter telescope of Special
Astrophysical Observatory RAS.
The special attention will be paid to the search and
study of new structure --- large-scale vortices --- related to spiral arms. The structure was lately discovered by our
team in some galaxies.
Using the new method
based on the Fourier analysis of the line-of-sight velocity field allows to determine such
fundamental properties as pattern speed of spiral arms and locations of resonances.
Besides regions of local deviations from circular rotation at scales
from hundreds parsecs to a few kiloparsecs will be recognized, and some efforts to explain
them will be undertaken.
Taking into account local and systematic deviations from the circular rotation, one can
restore the shape of equilibrium rotation curve and construct a model of mass distribution
in galaxies.
The investigation proposed makes possible to advance in understanding the
nature of galactic structures and the ways they form.
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