A wave focusing model for starbursts

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (9) References (33) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS A Wave Focusing Model for Starbursts Lubow, Stephen H. Abstract We consider a model for starbursts in which spiral density waves provide the primary triggering mechamism by achieving largest amplitude within about 1 kpc of a galactic center, a process which we refer to as wave focusing. Radio observations of molecular gas are suggested to test the model. We first consider simple linear, WKB, steady state density waves. Wave focusing occurs when the disk's effective velocity dispersion does not increase rapidly near the galactic center. This condition can be achieved by either having a fairly low stellar velocity dispersion in the central regions (Q ~ 1) or by having a significant (~10% by mass) low-velocity dispersion gaseous component in the central region. To consider nonlinear effects, we adopt a marginally applicable formalism used in the context of planetary rings. The model indicates that wave nonlinearities enhance wave focusing, when it is predicted by linear theory. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: May 1988 DOI: 10.1086/185148 Bibcode: 1988ApJ...328L...3L Keywords: Density Wave Model; Galactic Nuclei; Spiral Galaxies; Star Formation; Stellar Flares; Angular Momentum; Gas Density; Gas Flow; Linear Equations; Molecular Clouds; Astrophysics; GALAXIES: INTERNAL MOTIONS; STARS: FORMATION full text sources ADS |