Related papers: Magnetic arms generated by multiple interfering ga…
We have measured the positions of large numbers of H II regions in four nearly face-on, late-type, spiral galaxies: NGC 628 (M 74), NGC 1232, NGC 3184 and NGC 5194 (M 51). Fitting log-periodic spiral models to segments of each arm yields…
Spiral density wave theory attempts to describe the spiral pattern in spiral galaxies in terms of a long-lived wave structure with a constant pattern speed in order to avoid the winding dilemma. The pattern is consequently a rigidly…
The origin and maintenance of spiral structure in galaxies, the correlation between different types of spiral structure and several proposed mechanisms for their generation, and the evolution of spiral arms of galaxies with time are…
A method which we have developed for determining corotation radii, has allowed us to map in detail the radial resonant structures of barred spiral galaxies. Here we have combined this information with new determinations of the bar strength…
In recent years there has been a growing interest in studying giant molecular filaments (GMFs), which are extremely elongated (> 100pc in length) giant molecular clouds (GMCs). They are often seen as inter-arm features in external spiral…
Different spiral generation mechanisms are expected to produce different morphological and kinematic features. In this first paper in a series we carefully study the parameters of spiral structure in 155 face-on spiral galaxies, selected…
We investigate the dynamics of magnetic fields in spiral galaxies by performing 3D MHD simulations of galactic discs subject to a spiral potential. Recent hydrodynamic simulations have demonstrated the formation of inter-arm spurs as well…
Direct imaging observations have revealed spiral structures in protoplanetary disks. Previous studies have suggested that planet-induced spiral arms cannot explain some of these spiral patterns, due to the large pitch angle and high…
We have imaged a sample of 45 face-on spiral galaxies in the K-band, to determine the morphology of the old stellar population, which dominates the mass in the disk. The K-band images of the spiral galaxies have been used to calculate…
The extra stiffness that the magnetic field adds to the ISM changes the way it reacts to the presence of a spiral perturbation. At intermediate to high z, the gas shoots up before the arm, flows over, and falls behind it, as it approaches…
The most important theory of the spiral arms of galaxies is the density wave theory based on the Lin-Shu dispersion relation. However, the density waves move with the group velocity towards the inner Lindblad resonance and tend to…
Studying star formation in spiral arms tells us not only about the evolution of star formation, and molecular clouds, but can also tell us about the nature of spiral structure in galaxies. I will address both these topics using the results…
Magnetic fields in galaxies exist on various spatial scales. Large-scale magnetic fields are thought to be generated by the $\alpha-\Omega$ dynamo. Small-scale galactic magnetic fields (1 kpc and below) can be generated by tangling the…
The evolution of large-scale magnetic fields in disk galaxies is investigated numerically. The gasdynamical simulations in a disk perturbed by spiral or bar potential are incorporated into the kinematic calculations of induction equations…
Context: The Milky Way's history of recent disturbances is vividly demonstrated by a structure in the vertical phase-space distribution known as the Gaia phase spiral. A one-armed phase spiral has been seen widely across the Milky Way disc,…
Studies of nearby spiral galaxies in radio and X-ray wavelengths reveal the structure and energy balance of the magnetic fields and the hot interstellar medium (ISM). In some spiral galaxies, large-scale ordered magnetic fields have been…
We have imaged a sample of 20 spiral galaxies in H$\alpha$ and in the near-infrared K band (2.2 um), in order to determine the location and strength of star formation in these objects with respect to perturbations in the old stellar…
Context. The origin and nature of spiral arms remain unclear. Star forming regions and young stars are generally strongly associated to the spiral structure, but there are few quantitative predictions from simulations about the involvement…
Observations and simulations of barred spiral galaxies have shown that, in general, the spiral arms rotate at a different pattern speed to that of the bar. The main conclusion from the bibliography is that the bar rotates faster than the…
Spiral arms that emerge from the ends of a galactic bar are important in interpreting observations of our and external galaxies. It is therefore important to understand the physical mechanism that causes them. We find that these spiral arms…