Radial Migration in Spiral Galaxies

Abstract

The redistribution of stars in galactic disks is an important aspect of disk galaxy evolution. Stars that efficiently migrate in such a way that does not also appreciably heat their orbits can drastically affect the stellar populations observed today and therefore influence constraints derived from such observations. Unfortunately, while the theoretical understanding of the migration process is becoming increasingly robust, there are currently few specific observable predictions. As a result, we do not yet have a clear handle on whether the process has been important for the Milky Way in the past or how to constrain it. I discuss some of the expected qualitative outcomes of migration as well as some current controversies.Comment: To appear in "Lessons from the Local Group - A Conference in honor of David Block and Bruce Elmegreen" eds. Freeman, K.C., Elmegreen, B.G., Block, D.L., and Woolway,