High-velocity clouds: a diverse phenomenon
Abstract
In this contribution the current state of knowledge about the high-velocity clouds (HVCs) is summarized. Recent progress has shown that the HVCs are a diverse phenomenon. The intermediate-velocity clouds (IVCs) are likely to be part of a Galactic Fountain. The Magellanic Stream is a tidal remnant. HVC complex C (possibly complexes A and GCN) are low-metallicity clouds near the Galaxy; they could be remnants of the formation of the Galaxy or old tidal streams extracted from nearby dwarf galaxies. Having a substantial number of HI HVCs dispersed throughout the Local Group seems incompatible with the observed HI mass function of galaxies. Finally, FUSE finds high-velocity OVI, some of which is clearly associated with HI HVCs, but some which is not.
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0109210,
title = {High-velocity clouds: a diverse phenomenon},
author = {B. P. Wakker},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0109210},
year = {2007}
}
Comments
6 pages, contribution to 17th IAP Colloquium: Gaseous matter in galaxies and intergalactic space