31,611 research outputs found
The Formation of Galaxy Disks
We present a new set of multi-million particle SPH simulations of the
formation of disk dominated galaxies in a cosmological context. Some of these
galaxies are higher resolution versions of the models already described in
Governato et al (2007). To correctly compare simulations with observations we
create artificial images of our simulations and from them measure photometric
Bulge to Disk (B/D) ratios and disk scale lengths. We show how feedback and
high force and mass resolution are necessary ingredients to form galaxies that
have flatter rotation curves, larger I band disk scale lengths and smaller B/D
ratios. A new simulated disk galaxy has an I-band disk scale length of 9.2 kpc
and a B/D flux ratio of 0.64 (face on, dust reddened).Comment: To appear in proceedings of "Formation and Evolution of Galaxy
Disks", Rome, October 2007, Eds. J.G. Funes, S.J. and E.M. Corsini. Bigger
figures than in printed versio
Circumplanetary disks around young giant planets: a comparison between core-accretion and disk instability
Circumplanetary disks can be found around forming giant planets, regardless
of whether core accretion or gravitational instability built the planet. We
carried out state-of-the-art hydrodynamical simulations of the circumplanetary
disks for both formation scenarios, using as similar initial conditions as
possible to unveil possible intrinsic differences in the circumplanetary disk
mass and temperature between the two formation mechanisms. We found that the
circumplanetary disks mass linearly scales with the circumstellar disk mass.
Therefore, in an equally massive protoplanetary disk, the circumplanetary disks
formed in the disk instability model can be only a factor of eight more massive
than their core-accretion counterparts. On the other hand, the bulk
circumplanetary disk temperature differs by more than an order of magnitude
between the two cases. The subdisks around planets formed by gravitational
instability have a characteristic temperature below 100 K, while the core
accretion circumplanetary disks are hot, with temperatures even greater than
1000 K when embedded in massive, optically thick protoplanetary disks. We
explain how this difference can be understood as the natural result of the
different formation mechanisms. We argue that the different temperatures should
persist up to the point when a full-fledged gas giant forms via disk
instability, hence our result provides a convenient criteria for observations
to distinguish between the two main formation scenarios by measuring the bulk
temperature in the planet vicinity.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication at MNRA
The Hubble Sequence in Groups: The Birth of the Early-Type Galaxies
The physical mechanisms and timescales that determine the morphological
signatures and the quenching of star formation of typical (~L*) elliptical
galaxies are not well understood. To address this issue, we have simulated the
formation of a group of galaxies with sufficient resolution to track the
evolution of gas and stars inside about a dozen galaxy group members over
cosmic history. Galaxy groups, which harbor many elliptical galaxies in the
universe, are a particularly promising environment to investigate morphological
transformation and star formation quenching, due to their high galaxy density,
their relatively low velocity dispersion, and the presence of a hot intragroup
medium. Our simulation reproduces galaxies with different Hubble morphologies
and, consequently, enables us to study when and where the morphological
transformation of galaxies takes place. The simulation does not include
feedback from active galactic nuclei showing that it is not an essential
ingredient for producing quiescent, red elliptical galaxies in galaxy groups.
Ellipticals form, as suspected, through galaxy mergers. In contrast with what
has often been speculated, however, these mergers occur at z>1, before the
merging progenitors enter the virial radius of the group and before the group
is fully assembled. The simulation also shows that quenching of star formation
in the still star-forming elliptical galaxies lags behind their morphological
transformation, but, once started, is taking less than a billion years to
complete. As long envisaged the star formation quenching happens as the
galaxies approach and enter the finally assembled group, due to quenching of
gas accretion and (to a lesser degree) stripping. A similar sort is followed by
unmerged, disk galaxies, which, as they join the group, are turned into the
red-and-dead disks that abound in these environments.Comment: 12 pages, 12 Figures, 1 Table, accepted for publication in AP
Total and partial cross sections of the Sn()Te reaction measured via in-beam -ray spectroscopy
An extended database of experimental data is needed to address uncertainties
of the nuclear-physics input parameters for Hauser-Feshbach calculations.
Especially +nucleus optical model potentials at low energies are not
well known. The in-beam technique with an array of high-purity germanium (HPGe)
detectors was successfully applied to the measurement of absolute cross
sections of an (,) reaction on a heavy nucleus at sub-Coulomb
energies. The total and partial cross-section values were measured by means of
in-beam -ray spectroscopy. Total and partial cross sections were
measured at four different -particle energies from
MeV to MeV. The measured total cross-section values are in
excellent agreement with previous results obtained with the activation
technique, which proves the validity of the applied method. The experimental
data was compared to Hauser-Feshbach calculations using the nuclear reaction
code TALYS. A modified version of the semi-microscopic +nucleus optical
model potential OMP 3, as well as modified proton and widths, are
needed in order to obtain a good agreement between experimental data and
theory. It is found, that a model using a local modification of the
nuclear-physics input parameters simultaneously reproduces total cross sections
of the Sn(,) and Sn(,p) reactions. The
measurement of partial cross sections turns out to be very important in this
case in order to apply the correct -ray strength function in the
Hauser-Feshbach calculations. The model also reproduces cross-section values of
-induced reactions on Cd, as well as of (,n) reactions
on Sn, hinting at a more global character of the obtained
nuclear-physics input.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure
Birth of massive black hole binaries
If massive black holes (BHs) are ubiquitous in galaxies and galaxies
experience multiple mergers during their cosmic assembly, then BH binaries
should be common albeit temporary features of most galactic bulges.
Observationally, the paucity of active BH pairs points toward binary lifetimes
far shorter than the Hubble time, indicating rapid inspiral of the BHs down to
the domain where gravitational waves lead to their coalescence. Here, we review
a series of studies on the dynamics of massive BHs in gas-rich galaxy mergers
that underscore the vital role played by a cool, gaseous component in promoting
the rapid formation of the BH binary. The BH binary is found to reside at the
center of a massive self-gravitating nuclear disc resulting from the collision
of the two gaseous discs present in the mother galaxies. Hardening by
gravitational torques against gas in this grand disc is found to continue down
to sub-parsec scales. The eccentricity decreases with time to zero and when the
binary is circular, accretion sets in around the two BHs. When this occurs,
each BH is endowed with it own small-size (< 0.01 pc) accretion disc comprising
a few percent of the BH mass. Double AGN activity is expected to occur on an
estimated timescale of < 1 Myr. The double nuclear point-like sources that may
appear have typical separation of < 10 pc, and are likely to be embedded in the
still ongoing starburst. We note that a potential threat of binary stalling, in
a gaseous environment, may come from radiation and/or mechanical energy
injections by the BHs. Only short-lived or sub-Eddington accretion episodes can
guarantee the persistence of a dense cool gas structure around the binary
necessary for continuing BH inspiral.Comment: To appear in "2007 STScI Spring Symposium: Black Holes", eds. M.
Livio & A. M. Koekemoer, Cambridge University Press, 25 pages, 12 figure
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