The existence and shapes of dust lanes in galactic bars

Abstract

I study the flow of gas in and around the bars or ovals of model barred galaxies and show that it is intimately linked to the properties of the periodic orbits. Simulations show that the density of the gas in and around the bar region is low, except for the centre and two narrow lanes which are the loci of shocks. Such shocks form if the x 1 periodic orbits have either loops or large curvature values at their apocentres. The form of the shock loci depends on a number of parameters characterizing the bar and disc potentials. In order for shocks to be offset from the bar major axis towards its leading side, the x 2 and x 3 families must not only exist but also cover a sufficient extent along the bar major axis