On the formation of large-scale shock waves in barre galaxies

Abstract

The behavior of the gaseous phase in a barred galaxy is followed by computer simulations of the gas flow in a fixed potential formed by a bar and a disk. The results support a hypothesis that the dark lanes observed on the leading side of the bar in many SB galaxies are coinciding with the shock waves. Furthermore the results reject an outflow explanation of the arms but suggest these to be formed mechanically by the bar. Ring-shaped features were not reproduced but double arms were occasionally detected.