Spiral Arm Tracers Research Articles

Determining the parameters of the spiral arms of the Galaxy from kinematic tracers based on Gaia DR3 data

ABSTRACT We present the results of determining the parameters of the spiral arms of the Galaxy using the stars Gaia DR3, whose absolute magnitude is MG < 4, and which allow tracing spiral arms at large distances from the Sun. As tracers of spiral arms, we use the centroids of stellar spherical regions with a radius of 0.5 kpc, in which the deformation velocities along the coordinate axis R are insignificant. These kinematic tracers cover the Galactic plane within the Galactocentric coordinate ranges 140° < θ < 220° and 4 kpc < R < 14 kpc. The numerical values of the pitch angles of the spirals and their Galactocentric distances to the point of intersection of the spiral with the direction of the Galactic Centre and the Sun are in good agreement with the results of other authors. By extrapolating beyond the data we have, we present a schematic four-arm global pattern, consisting of the Scutum–Centaurus, Sagittarius–Carina, Perseus, Norma-Outer arms, as well as the local arm Orion. The uncertainties of the determined spiral parameters confirm that the structures identified are not false, but are reliable from the statistical point of view.

Using classical Cepheids to study the far side of the Milky Way disk

In an effort to improve our understanding of the spiral arm structure of the Milky Way, we use classical Cepheids (CCs) to increase the number of young tracers on the far side of the Galactic disk with accurately determined distances. We used a sample of 30 CCs that were discovered using near-infrared photometry from the VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea survey (VVV) and classified based on their radial velocities and metallicities. We combined them with another 20 CCs from the literature for which VVV photometry is available. We used the compiled sample of CCs with homogeneously computed distances based on VVV infrared photometry as a proof of concept to trace the spiral structure in the poorly explored far side of the disk. Although the use of CCs has some caveats, these variables are currently the only available young tracers on the far side of the disk for which a numerous sample with accurate distances can be obtained. Therefore, a larger sample could allow us to make a significant step forward in our understanding of the Milky Way disk as a whole. We present preliminary evidence that CCs favor the following: a spiral arm model with two main arms (Perseus and Scutum-Centaurus) that branch out into four arms at Galactocentric distances, RGC ≳ 5−6 kpc; the extension of the Scutum-Centaurus arm behind the Galactic center; and a possible connection between the Perseus arm and the Norma tangency direction. The current sample of CCs on the far side of the Galaxy are in the mid-plane, which argues against the presence of a severely warped disk at small Galactocentric distances (RGC ≲ 12 kpc) in the studied area. The discovery and characterization of CCs at near-infrared wavelengths appears to be a promising tool to complement studies based on other spiral arm tracers and extend them to the far side of our Galaxy.

A Comparison of the Simulations and Observations for a Nearby Spiral Arm

The analysis is focused on the ability of galactic open clusters to trace the spiral arms, based on the recent data releases from Gaia. For this, a simple 1D description of the motion of spiral arms and clusters is introduced. As next step, results are verified using a widely accepted kinematic model of the motion in spiral galaxies. As expected, both approaches show that open clusters older than about 100 Myr are bad tracers of spiral arms. The younger clusters (ideally < 30 Myr) should be used instead. This agrees with the most recent observational evidence. The latest maps of the diffuse interstellar bands are compared with the spiral structure of the Milky Way and the Antennae Galaxies. The idea of these bands being useful for studying a galactic structure cannot be supported based on the current data.

The Distribution of Open Clusters in the Galaxy

In this work we explore the new catalog of galactic open clusters that became available recently, containing 1,750 clusters that have been re-analyzed using the Gaia DR2 catalog to determine the stellar memberships. We used the young open clusters as tracers of spiral arms and determined the spiral pattern rotation speed of the Galaxy and the corotation radius, the strongest Galactic resonance. The sample of open clusters used here is increased by dozens of objects with respect to our previous works. In addition, the distances and ages values are better determined, using improvements to isochrone fitting and including an updated extinction polynomial for the Gaia DR2 photometric band-passes, and the Galactic abundance gradient as a prior for metallicity. In addition to the better age determinations, the catalog contains better positions in the Galactic plane and better proper motions. This allow us to discuss not only the present space distribution of the clusters, but also the space distribution of the clusters's birthplaces, obtained by integration of the orbits for a time equal to their age. The value of the rotation velocity of the arms (28.5 ± 1.0 km s−1 kpc−1) implies that the corotation radius (Rc) is close to the solar Galactic orbit (Rc/R0 = 1.01±0.08), which is supported by other observational evidence discussed in this text. A simulation is presented, illustrating the motion of the clusters in the reference frame of corotation. We also present general statistics of the catalog of clusters, like spatial distribution, distribution relative to height from the Galactic plane, and distribution of ages and metallicity. An important feature of the space distribution, the corotation gap in the gas distribution and its consequences for the young clusters, is discussed.

Synthetic observations of spiral arm tracers of a simulated Milky Way analog

Context.The Faraday rotation measure (RM) is often used to study the magnetic field strength and orientation within the ionized medium of the Milky Way. Recent observations indicate an RM magnitude in the spiral arms that exceeds the commonly assumed range. This raises the question of how and under what conditions spiral arms create such strong Faraday rotation.Aims.We investigate the effect of spiral arms on Galactic Faraday rotation through shock compression of the interstellar medium. It has recently been suggested that the Sagittarius spiral arm creates a strong peak in Faraday rotation where the line of sight is tangent to the arm, and that enhanced Faraday rotation follows along side lines which intersect the arm. Here our aim is to understand the physical conditions that may give rise to this effect and the role of viewing geometry.Methods.We apply a magnetohydrodynamic simulation of the multi-phase interstellar medium in a Milky Way-type spiral galaxy disk in combination with radiative transfer in order to evaluate different tracers of spiral arm structures. For observers embedded in the disk, dust intensity, synchrotron emission, and the kinematics of molecular gas observations are derived to identify which spiral arm tangents are observable. Faraday rotation measures are calculated through the disk and evaluated in the context of different observer positions. The observer’s perspectives are related to the parameters of the local bubbles surrounding the observer and their contribution to the total Faraday rotation measure along the line of sight.Results.We reproduce a scattering of tangent points for the different tracers of about 6° per spiral arm similar to the Milky Way. For the RM, the model shows that compression of the interstellar medium and associated amplification of the magnetic field in spiral arms enhances Faraday rotation by a few hundred rad m−2in addition to the mean contribution of the disk. The arm–interarm contrast in Faraday rotation per unit distance along the line of sight is approximately ~10 in the inner Galaxy, fading to ~2 in the outer Galaxy in tandem with the waning contrast of other tracers of spiral arms. We identify a shark fin pattern in the RM Milky Way observations and in the synthetic data that is characteristic for a galaxy with spiral arms.

SOFIA/HAWC+ Traces the Magnetic Fields in NGC 1068

Abstract We report the first detection of galactic spiral structure by means of thermal emission from magnetically aligned dust grains. Our 89 μm polarimetric imaging of NGC 1068 with the High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera/Polarimeter (HAWC+) on NASAs Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) also sheds light on magnetic field structure in the vicinity of the galaxy's inner-bar and active galactic nucleus (AGN). We find correlations between the 89 μm magnetic field vectors and other tracers of spiral arms, and a symmetric polarization pattern as a function of the azimuthal angle arising from the projection and inclination of the disk field component in the plane of the sky. The observations can be fit with a logarithmic spiral model with pitch angle of and a disk inclination of 48° ± 2°. We infer that the bulk of the interstellar medium from which the polarized dust emission originates is threaded by a magnetic field that closely follows the spiral arms. Inside the central starburst disk (<1.6 kpc), the degree of polarization is found to be lower than for far-infrared sources in the Milky Way, and has minima at the locations of most intense star formation near the outer ends of the inner-bar. Inside the starburst ring, the field direction deviates from the model, becoming more radial along the leading edges of the inner-bar. The polarized flux and dust temperature peak ∼3″–6″ NE of the AGN at the location of a bow shock between the AGN outflow and the surrounding interstellar medium, but the AGN itself is weakly polarized (<1%) at both 53 and 89 μm.

Statistics on 24 spiral galaxies having different observed arm locations using different arm tracers

The density wave theory predicted some physical offsets among different tracers of star formation. To test this prediction, here we compiled data on 40 galaxies searched observationally for a physical offset between spiral arm tracers, and found that 24 of them have a positive offset. In a spiral arm, an arm tracer in a region with a given temperature may be at a different location (offset) than an arm tracer in a region with a colder temperature.Some conditions are found to be necessary or sufficient in order to detect an offset between two arm tracers. To find the offset of a tracer from another tracer, one needs a proper linear resolution. Starting in the dust lane and going across the spiral arm, we seek the observed physical width of the star-forming zone (offset). In our sample of 24 galaxies with measured offsets, we find offsets with a median value near 326 pc and a mean near 370 pc. These offsets are comparable to those found in our Milky Way galaxy, between the cold diffuse CO 1–0 gas set at 0 pc, and the hot dust near 350 pc.Preliminary statistics are performed on the angular velocity of the gas and stars and angular velocity of the spiral pattern. Their observed orbital velocity of 200 km/s at a typical galactic radius near 4 kpc yields an angular speed of the gas and stars near 60 km/s/kpc. Their deduced angular rotation for the spiral pattern averages 36 km/s/kpc. These observational results are close to the results predicted by the shock-induced star-forming density wave theory. These mean or median property values will be useful for finding other galaxies that can support density waves.

An analysis of four stellar rings

About 50 years ago, one thousand ring‐like structures (called stellar‐rings) were discovered by Isserstedt (1968). They were believed to be groups of young stars formed by shell‐like triggered star formation, which would make them excellent tracers of spiral arms, for example. Neglected for 40 years, we used highly accurate kinematic, astrometric, and photometric data to investigate the four most prominent stellar rings. The aim is to investigate if those structures are indeed physically related groups of stars. We used proper motions and parallaxes from the Gaia DR2 to calculate distances and to search for common properties. Color‐magnitude diagrams using BVJHKs measurements were investigated and isochrones fitted. None of the four stellar rings consists of a physically related group of young stars. The location of stars in the line‐of‐sight mimics a ring‐like structure on the sky. The color‐magnitude diagrams are typical for an integrated field population and not for a young star cluster, for example. The currently available data are sufficient to analyze ring‐like structures with a high statistical significance. This allows a new search for such structures in the Milky Way.

Metallicity Structure across the Galactic Disk: Radio Observations of H ii Regions

AbstractHii regions are the sites of massive star formation and are the archetypal tracers of spiral arms. Because of their short lifetimes (<10 Myr) their abundances provide a measure of the nuclear processing of many stellar generations. Here we review our ongoing efforts to explore the metallicity structure of the Galactic disk by observing radio recombination line (RRL) and thermal radio continuum emission toward Hii regions. The RRL-to-continuum ratio provides an accurate measure of the electron temperature which is used as a proxy for metallicity. Since collisionally excited lines from metals (e.g., O, C) are the main coolant in Hii regions, the thermal electron temperature is well correlated with metallicity (e.g., [O/H]). We determine Hii region distances from maser parallax measurements when possible; otherwise we use kinematic distances. Such radio diagnostics of Hii regions yield an extinction free tracer to map the metallicity distribution across the entire Galactic disk.

Recent advances in the determination of some Galactic constants in the Milky Way

Here we statistically evaluate recent advances in determining the Sun-Galactic Center distance (Rsun) as well as recent measures of the orbital velocity around the Galactic Center (Vlsr), and the angular rotation parameters of various objects. Recent statistical results point to Rsun = 8.0 +- 0.2 kpc, Vlsr= 230 +- 3 km/s, and angular rotation at the Sun ({\omega}) near 29 +- 1 km/s/kpc for the gas and stars at the Local Standard of Rest, and near 23 +- 2 km/s/kpc for the spiral pattern itself. This angular difference is similar to what had been predicted by density wave models, along with the observation that the galactic longitude of each spiral arm tracer (dust, cold CO) for each spiral arm becomes reversed across the Galactic Meridian (Vallee 2016b).

THE START OF THE SAGITTARIUS SPIRAL ARM (SAGITTARIUS ORIGIN) AND THE START OF THE NORMA SPIRAL ARM (NORMA ORIGIN): MODEL-COMPUTED AND OBSERVED ARM TANGENTS AT GALACTIC LONGITUDES −20° < l < +23°

ABSTRACT Here, we fitted a four-arm spiral model to the more accurate data on global arm pitch angle and arm longitude tangents to get the start of each spiral arm near the galactic nucleus. We find that the tangent to the “start of the Sagittarius” spiral arm (arm middle) is at l = −17° ± 0.°5, while the tangent to the “start of the Norma” spiral arm (arm middle) is at l = +20° ± 0.°5. Earlier, we published a compilation of observations and analysis of the tangent to each spiral arm tracer from longitudes +23° to +340°; in this paper we cover the arm tracers in the remaining longitudes +340 (=−20°) to +23°. Our model arm tangents are confirmed through the recent observed masers data (at the arm's inner edge). Observed arm tracers in the inner Galaxy show an offset from the mid arm; this was also found elsewhere in the Milky Way disk. In addition, we collated the observed tangents to the so-called 3 kpc arm features; statistically they are found to be near l = −18° ± 2° and near l = +21° ± 2°, after excluding misidentified spiral arms. We find that the model-computed arm tangents in the inner Galaxy are spatially coincident with the mean longitude of the observed tangents to the 3 kpc arm features (same galactic longitudes, within the errors). These spatial similarities may be suggestive of a contiguous space.

THE SPIRAL ARMS OF THE MILKY WAY: THE RELATIVE LOCATION OF EACH DIFFERENT ARM TRACER WITHIN A TYPICAL SPIRAL ARM WIDTH

From the Sun's location in the Galactic disk, different arm tracers (CO, H I, hot dust, etc.) have been employed to locate a tangent to each spiral arm. Using all various and different observed spiral arm tracers (as published elsewhere), we embark on a new goal, namely the statistical analysis of these published data (data mining) to statistically compute the mean location of each spiral arm tracer. We show for a typical arm cross-cut, a separation of 400?pc between the mid-arm and the dust lane (at the inner edge of the arm, toward the Galactic center). Are some arms major and others minor??Separating arms into two sets, as suggested by some, we find the same arm widths between the two sets. Our interpretation is that we live in a multiple (four-arm) spiral (logarithmic) pattern (around a pitch angle of 12?) for the stars and gas in the Milky Way, with a sizable interarm separation (around 3?kpc) at the Sun's location and the same arm width for each arm (near 400?pc from mid-arm to dust lane).

Photometric distances to young stars in the inner Galactic disk

The spiral structure of the Milky Way is nowadays receiving renewed attention thanks to the combined efforts of observational campaigns in different wavelength regimes, from the optical to the radio. We start in the paper the exploration of a number of key sectors in the inner Milky Way, where the spiral structure is still poorly known. We search for density enhancements of young stars that might plausibly be associated with spiral structure. To this aim we collect sufficiently wide-field UBVI photometry. The intensive usage of U-band photometry ensures robust determination of reddening and hence distance for stars of spectral type earlier than A0, which are well-known spiral arm tracers. The fields we use are large enough to include in most cases well-studied Galactic clusters, which we use as bench-marks to assess the quality and standardisation of the data, and to validate our method. We focus in this paper on the line of sight to the Galactic longitude l= 314$^o$. First of all, we made exhaustive tests to show that our data-set is in the standard system, and calibrated our method using the two open clusters NGC 5617 and Pismis 19 which happen to be in the field, and for which we found estimates of the basic parameters in full agreement with the literature. We then applied the method to the general field stars and detected signatures of three different groups of stars, evenly distributed across the field of view, at 1.5$^{+0.5}_{-0.2}$, 2.5$^{+0.3}_{-0.5}$, and 5.1$^{+1.5}_{-1.1}$ kpc, respectively. These distances are compatible with the location of the nowadays commonly accepted description of the Carina-Sagittarius and Scutum-Crux arms, at heliocentric distance of $\sim$ 2 an 5 kpc,

COBEAND THE GALACTIC INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM: GEOMETRY OF THE SPIRAL ARMS FROM FIR COOLING LINES

We present a new model for the spiral structure of the Milky Way based upon the essentially all-sky intensity maps of the [C II] 158 {mu}m and [N II] 205 {mu}m lines of the interstellar medium (ISM) obtained by the FIRAS instrument of the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE), with ancillary data from the Balloon-borne Infrared Carbon Explorer, and Infrared Space Observatory. These lines are important coolants of the ISM and strong tracers of the spiral structure. The model provides the volume emissivity of these species as a function of position within the Galaxy. Two-, three-, and four-arm models are examined, using a number of spiral functional forms. Two-arm models are found to be inconsistent with the COBE/FIRAS data. A three-arm model can be constructed that reproduces the [C II] and [N II] intensity profiles along the Galactic plane. This model, however, is discounted by historical observations of the Perseus and Cygnus ('Outer') arms. A four-arm model, with arms defined by logarithmic spiral forms, reproduce the observations extremely well. Models of the Milky Way's spiral geometry proposed from {approx}1980 to the present are examined in light of the COBE data and compared with the model presented herein. The preponderance of themore » evidence supports the existence of four well-defined logarithmic spiral arms in the gaseous component of the ISM. We note that essentially all two-arm models proposed since the mid-1980s are based upon observations of older evolved stars. We address the question of why studies based upon observations of stellar densities yield two-arm models while models based upon observations of more traditional tracers of spiral arms, i.e., enhanced gas and dust densities, star formation, and young stellar populations, yield four-arm models.« less

Toward mapping the spiral arm tracers

Toward mapping the spiral arm tracers

“Missing Link” Clouds in the Southern Galactic Plane Survey

We present an automated routine to search for H I self-absorption features within the Southern Galactic Plane Survey (SGPS). The data were taken with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) and the Parkes Radio Telescope and encompass 3°×105° of sky in the Galactic plane. We apply our routine to this entire region and derive spin temperatures and column densities for 70 of the larger HISA complexes, finding spin temperatures ranging from 6 to 41 K with H I number densities of a few cm -3. These missing link clouds fill in the spin temperature and density gaps between dense molecular clouds and diffuse atomic clouds. We compare the H I emission with 12CO emission and find that ∼60% of detected H I self-absorption is correlated in space and in velocity with a molecular counterpart. This is potentially due to a molecular/atomic gas transition. We also compare H I self-absorption with Galactic spiral arms and discuss the possibility of using it as a spiral arm tracer. © 2005. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.

The Car–Sgr arm as outlined by superclouds and the grand design of the Galaxy

Abstract It is found that H I superclouds are regularly spaced along the very long Car–Sgr arm, the mutual distances being mostly 0.1 and 0.2 in units of the Solar distance to the centre. Such regularity is instrinsic to the grand design galaxies with density-wave spiral arms. A higher density of old stars and star clusters within the Car-Sgr arm is observed, implying a strong density wave. A symmetric second arm should exist in a grand design galaxy yet this arm is well seen only in the II quadrant, being behind the Per arm. The positions of most superclouds, the giant H II regions and GMCs over the Galaxy are compatible with a four-arm spiral structure with two less pronounced additional arms midway between the two principal arms; the nearby Per arm is one of the secondary arms. The pitch angle of such a grand design spiral pattern is 10°–12°. If this pattern does exist, the long segments of the arms have none the above-mentioned spiral-arm tracers. At any rate the Car-Sgr arm is certainly much brighter and more regular than all the others. The most probable arm class of the Galaxy is 9–12; it is multiarm or grand design galaxy.

Study of faint young open clusters as tracers of spiral features in our galaxy

Continuing the study of faint young open clusters as tracers of spiral features in our Galaxy, photoelectric and photographic photometry of 39 stars was done in the field of the faint open cluster NGC 2236 ≡ OCl 501 in the direction of Monoceros constellation. Out of these stars, a total of 22 down tom v ≃ 15.4 mag have been found to be probable members. There is apparently a variable extinction across the field of the cluster with E(B - V) ranging between 0.84 mag and 0.68 mag. The median age of this cluster is estimated to be 7.6 × 107 years and the cluster is thereby considered as belonging to the marginally old category. Thus, it cannot be specifically used as a spiral arm tracer in the study of our Galaxy. This cluster is located at a distance of 3.72 ± 0.13 kpc, which places it at the inner edge of the outer Perseus spiral feature of the Milky Way.

PULSARS AS SPIRAL ARM TRACERS

ABSTRACT Pulsars are used to trace the spiral arms of the Galaxy. Present pulsar characteristics are used to divide them into two pulsar types as defined by Huang (1987). The ages of Type II pulsars and the galactic rotation curve are used to determine their position at birth. The spiral arm pattern velocity is used to reconstruct the arms from which the individual Type II pulsars originated. It is found that the best fit to the data requires spiral arm segments with a pitch angle of 14.5 deg.

Study of young open clusters as tracers of spiral features in our galaxy. Paper 4: Czernik 20 (OCl 427)

Photoelectric and photographic photometry of 72 stars was done in the field of the not-well-studied open cluster Czernik 20= OCl 427 in the direction of the Auriga constellation. Of these stars, a total of 43 have been found to be probable members down tomv− 15.75 mag. There is apparently a variable extinction across the field of the cluster withE(B-V) ranging from 0.53 to 0.38 mag. The cluster stars show a range in their ages from 1.0 × 107 to 7.1 × 107 years, indicating that Czernik 20 is young enough to be considered as a spiral-arm tracer in the study of our Galaxy. The distance of this cluster is found to be 4.27 ±0.14 kpc and it is located inside the outer Perseus arm of the Milky Way