Do morphological properties of interacting galaxies indicate that the latter are topological abelian higgs vorto-sources (vorto-sinks)?

We propose an Abelian Higgs model for spiral galaxies in which the latter are treated as topologically stable magneticvorto-sources (-sinks). The model is characterized by the minimum coupling between the electromagnetic vector potential and a scalar, complex-valued Higgs field that results - for an idealized cylindrically symmetric case - in a perpendicular to the galaxy's plane distribution of magnetic field strength whose total flux is a discrete-valued quantity - aninteger multiple of the elementary flux unit. Adopting the hypothesis that spiral arms trace the curves of a constant phase of the Higgs field we demonstrate that, for an almost-everywhere divergence-free vector potential, the arms acquire the observationally well-established form of logarithmic spirals whose woundness is here of an electromagnetic origin in the sense that it depends on the ratio between the specific volume-divergence of a galaxy and its total magnetic flux. The hypothesis further implies that the number of spiral arms is justtwice as that of magnetic flux quanta a galaxy possesses; the observed preponderance of two-armed spirals then simply reflects the fact that most galaxies carry single flux quantum which is energetically favourable for the vorto-sources (-sinks) whose disk-to-bulge radius ratio > 1. The latter property also leads to the process of galaxyfragmentation in the sense that a galaxy endowed withp magnetic flux quanta should fission into the topologically equivalent configuration consisting ofp singly-quantized galaxies.A unique possibility to test our model is provided by physically paired galaxies. Considering the simplest configuration consisting of spirals lying in the same plane and having equal in magnitude fluxes and volume-divergences we distinguish four topologically different distributions of the Higgs field phase which fairly well capture observed morphologies exhibited by double galaxies; we find, in particular, that of most frequent occurrence seem to be couples with anti-parallel orientation of magnetic field.Finally, we address the question of the periodicity in the distribution of galaxy redshifts and show that a discrete-valuedness of themass of spiral galaxies resulting from our model may serve as a starting point to solve this puzzling effect.     

The ‘sleeping beauty’ galaxy NGC 4826: an almost textbook example of the abelian higgs vorto-source (-sink)

It is demonstrated that the kinematic peculiarity of the early Sab galaxy NGC 4826 can easily be understood in terms of the Abelian Higgs (AH) model of spiral galaxies. A cylindrically symmetric AH vorto-source (-sink) with a disk-to-bulge ratio > 1 is discussed and the distributions of the diagonal components of the corresponding stress-energy tensorT are presented. It is argued that the sign-changing componentT could account for the existence of twocounter-rotating gas disks whilenegative values ofT imply inward gas motions as observed in the outer and transition regions of the galaxy.     

Rotation velocity and neutral hydrogen distribution dependency on magnetic field strength in spiral galaxies

The rotation velocity of a simulated plasma galaxy is compared to the rotation curves of Sc type spiral galaxies. Both show flat rotation curves with velocities of the order of several hundred kilometers per second, modified by E × B instabilities. Maps of the strength and distribution of galactic magnetic fields and neutral hydrogen regions, as-well-as as predictions by particle-in-cell simulations run in the late 1970s, are compared to Effelsberg observations.Agreement between simulation and observation is best when the simulation galaxy masses are identical to the observational masses of spiral galaxies. No dark matter is needed.     

The role of magnetic fields in extragalactic astronomy

The evidence is reviewed for a universal magnetic field of strength 10^–9–10^–8G; it has been extended to include the diffuse fields of galactic clusters and the extensive magnetic halos of spiral galaxies. Some likely effects of the universal fieldB ₀ are as follows: (1) As suggested previously,B ₀ is coupled to protogalaxies and evolves into magnetic structures which depend on the angle between the field and the gas rotational axis. These provide the blueprints for the various types of the Hubble sequence, (ii) The relatively few grand-design spiral galaxies result from tidal interactioon (M51-type), but normal spirals form as a result of the spiral oblique field) magnetic blueprint acting on sheared gravitational instabilities (Goldreich and Lynden-Bell). (iii) The model explains the prevalent warped galactic disks and perhaps their flat H1 rotation curves. (iv) A variety of puzzling H1 concentrations may have hydromagnetic explanations; they include the high-velocity clouds, streamers, rings and central systems. (v) Clusters of galaxies are known to have diffuse magnetic fields, and these are likely to explain the absence of spiral galaxies and the nature of the intracluster gas. (vi) Spiral galaxies are now known to have extensive magnetic halos. These appear explicable only in terms of the universal magnetic field model.     

Effects of viscous dissipation and free convection currents on the flow of an electrically conducting fluid past an accelerated vertical porous plate

In the present paper, the effects of free convection currents and the viscous dissipation on the unsteady flow of an electrically conducting and viscous incompressible fluid around an uniformly accelerated vertical porous plate subjected to a suction or injection velocity inversely proportional to the square root of time, in presence of a transverse magnetic field, have been investigated. Analytical solutions for the velocity and the temperature distributions, the skin-friction and the rate of heat transfer are obtained for small magnetic parameterM. During the course of discussion the effects of the Grashof number Gr, the Eckert number Ec, the suction/injection parametera have been considered for unit value of the Prandtl number Pr.Nomenclature a suction/injection parameter - C _p specific heat at constant pressure - B ₀ magnetic induction - g acceleration due to gravity - Gr Grashof number (g(T _w –T )/U ₀ ³ ) - K thermal conductivity - M magnetic field parameter (B ₀ ² /U ₀ ² ) - Pr Prandtl number (C _p/K) - T temperature of the fluid near the plate - T _w temperature of the plate - T temperature of the fluid at infinity - t time - t dimensionless time (tU ₀ ² /) - u velocity of the fluid - u non-dimensional velocity (u/U ₀) - U velocity of the plate - U dimensionless velocity of the plate (U/U ₀) - U ₀ reference velocity - v ₀ suction velocity - v ₀ non-dimensional suction velocity (v ₀/U ₀)=at ^–1/2 - Ec Eckert number ((U ₀)^2/3/C _p(T _w –T )) - T dimensionless temperature of the fluid near the plate ((T–T )/(T _w ^–T )) - x, y coordinates along and normal to the plate - x, y dimensionless coordinates (y=yU ₀/) - kinematic viscosity - coefficient of volume expansion - electric conductivity of the fluid - y/2t ^1/2 - density of the fluid - skin-friction - dimensionless skin-friction - q rate of heat transfer - q non-dimensional rate of heat transfer - coefficient of viscosity - _e magnetic permeability On leave of absence from Department of Mathematics, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh     

Some peculiarities of four host galaxies,containing Seyfert nuclei

Star-like objects are found in Seyfert galaxies Markarian 290, Markarian 298, NGC 1275, and NGC 7469, being connected with the structure peculiarities of the galaxies. The absolute magnitudes of these objects are –16 ^m M–19 ^m . It has been supposed that these star formations must stimulate the instability in the disk of the galaxy followed by the matter fall toward the centre of the galaxy. The gas inflow toward the centre will allow the recent star formations and Seyfert nuclei generation.Paper presented at the 11th European Regional Astronomical Meetings of the IAU on New Windows to the Universe, held 3–8 July, 1989, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.     

On convergence of an asymmetrical body potential expansion in spherical harmonics

The gravity potential of an arbitrary bodyT is expanded in a series of spherical harmonics and rigorous evaluations of the general termV _n of the expansion are obtained. It is proved thatV _n decreases on the sphere envelopingT according to the power law if the body structure is smooth. For a body with analytic structure,V _n decreases in geometric progression. The exactness of these evaluations is proved for bodies having irregular and analytic structures. For the terrestrial planetsV _n =O (n ^–5/2).

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I I V _n IV _n I . . IV _n I . I. IV _n =O(n ^–5/2 )

     

The chemical composition of matter in the early universe

The results of the computations of the chemical evolution for a galaxy cluster are presented. The matter exchange between galaxies and intergalactic medium is taken into account. Two dependences of star formation rate on time are considered: (i) monotonously decreasing dependence characteristic of elliptical galaxies, (ii) dependence having two peaks associated with creation of spiral galaxy subsystems, with suppression of star formation at the period between maxima. It is assumed that galactic ejection is due to explosions of II-type supernova with massesm5M , and that the accretion on to a galaxy depends but weakly on the time. By comparing the obtained results with total combination of available observations, it is established that the rate of gaseous exchange between a galaxy and intergalactic medium should be rather large: 0.03M _gal Gyr^–1. Besides, the activity of each type of galaxy leads to an approximately equal enrichment of intergalactic gas by new elements synthesized in the stars. The existence of a large accretion on to the Galaxy leads to the decrease of primordial deuterium abundance by a factor of no more than 2 during the galaxy evolution time. It enables us to assume that the standard Big Bang model with baryon density parameter _b 0.1 may be considered as true.     

Search for low energyν e,μ,τ andv e,μ,τ in coincidence with BATSE gamma ray bursts

A search for low energy neutrinos of all flavours in correlation with 553 ray bursts detected by BATSE aboard the Compton Observatory has been performed by the LSD (Liquid Scintillator Detector) neutrino telescope. No excess ofe,, orv _e,, candidate has been detected by LSD during the time interval in which BATSE detected the 90% of the photon flux for any of the GRBs analyzed. Upper limits on the neutrino fluxes are given in the paper.     

A spectrophotometric study of galaxies with UV excess

We present the results of a spectral study of 17 galaxies with UV excess from the lists of [1–3]. We determine the equivalent widths of lines, the relative intensities of emission lines for 3 galaxies, the electron densities of the gas components of 9 galaxies, and the gas masses of 2 galaxies. It is shown that the gas component of Galaxy No. 235 has extremely low excitability. In the spectrum of this galaxy the lines [Fell] 4951, 4947 are seen to be distinct, not merging with the line [OIII] 4959. The line H in the spectrum of Galaxy No. 128 has two emission peaks, which seem to have been formed by an absorption component midway between the lines. The line H in the spectrum of Galaxy No. 350 is detected both in emission and absorption, the absorption component lying in the longwave part of the line.Translated fromAstrofizika, Vol. 37, No. 3, 1994.     

Magnetic fields in galaxies as revealed by the polarization of light

Some new results on optical polarization in galaxies are reported. These results as well as some other available data indicate the presence of large-scale magnetic fields in galaxies. Spiral galaxies seen nearly edge-on show polarization of light in the dark band across the center, indicating that the large-scale magnetic fields in these galaxies are mainly parallel to the symmetry plane of each galaxy, as has also been observed in the Milky Way. In more tilted galaxies, where the spiral structure can be seen more clearly, the observed polarization effects indicate large-scale magnetic fields along the arms. Observed polarization effects also indicate the presence of ordered magnetic fields in some peculiar galaxies. In NGC 2685 the fields seem to be parallel to the helical or arc-like filaments. In NGC 3718 the dark band which might be a dust-bar through the nucleus shows strong optical polarization in the direction of the band, indicating a large-scale magnetic field in the same direction.Paper dedicated to Professor Hannes Alfvén on the occasion of his 70th birthday, 30 May, 1978.     

The evolution of dwarf galaxies

We propose an evolutionary model for dwarf galaxies in which initially metal-poor gas-rich dwarf irregular (dI) galaxies evolve through bursting Blue Compact Dwarf (BCD) stages and eventually fade from the BCD phase to become dwarf ellipticals (dE). During the bursting phase the surface brightness of the galaxy increases rapidly due to enhanced OB star formation. The source of fuel for the intermittent bursts of star formation is assumed to be primordial gas which continues to collapse onto the already formed central structure. The dE galaxies form as a result of eventual gas depletion through star formation.With this proposed dIBCDdE evolutionary sequence we can explain the similar photometric structure of the different dwarf types and the differences in their star formation rates, surface brightnesses,Hi contents and metallicities. A final central BCD burst can account for the nucleation in brighter dEs and their residual star formation, while earlier more widespread star formation bursts would fade to give an irregular dI. Inflow of gas may allow dEs to be less flattened than dIs.Using galaxy fading and metallicity models we can reproduce the observed number ratiosN(dI)N(BCD) andN(dI)N(dE) and also the observed metallicity magnitude relation of local dwarf spheroidal galaxies.     

Statistical study of optical galactic warps

A list of northern spiral NGC galaxies, with inclinations higher than 74°, and exhibiting warps have been obtained from the Palomar Sky Survey (POSS). Approximate position angles and warping angles are given for each galaxy, in order to have a first reference for statistical studies of the warping phenomenon. When we take into account that warps are not always observed (depending on their relative position with respect to the observer) the resulting frequency of warps was so high that a tentative conclusion is that all disks are warped.Paper presented at the 11th European Regional Astronomical Meetings of the IAU on New Windows to the Universe, held 3–8 July, 1989, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.     

Angular momentum of galaxies and the structure of protogalactic vorticity

A computational model is developed for the origin of protogalactic eddies at the fronts of large-scale pancake shocks. Possible effects of orientation of spiral galaxies in their pairs, groups, clusters and superclusters are discussed.     

Narrow-line dynamics in Seyfert and starburst nuclei

Rotating disks and expanding supershells of ionized gas are supposed to be kinematical components essential for the formation of emission-like profiles from starburst nuclei and the narrow-line regions of Seyfert galaxies. Simple models predict a few typical features of line profiles by which disks may be recognized.A giant supershell is identified SE of the nucleus of the starburst galaxy NGC 253. We suggest that the variously reported outflow cones in Seyfert nuclei are also induced by superbubble dynamics. Observations of NGC 4151 are shown to be consistent with this scenario.Paper presented at the 11th European Regional Astronomical Meetings of the IAU on New Windows to the Universe, held 3–8 July, 1989, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.     

The spectral indices in the optical continuum of the QSOs,BL Lacertae objects and the nuclei of Seyfert,N and normal galaxies

The hypothesis that the optical continua of QSOs, BL Lac objects and the nuclei of Seyfert, N and normal galaxies arise due to incoherent synchrotron radiation from electrons and consequently the flux of radiation in the optical continua of these objects is given by the power law:F(v)v is examined. Following Kinman, spectral indices _B–V and _U–B in(B-V) and(U-B) colours as well as their average and difference have been defined and calculated for samples of 227 QSOs, 32 BL Lac objects and nuclei of 62 Seyfert, 12 N and 7 normal galaxies. Here has been assumed to be an estimate of the spectral index . On the other hand, has been regarded as a measure of departure from the power law. On the basis of this, the distributions of and in QSOs, BL Lac objects and the nuclei of Seyfert, N and normal galaxies have been studied. The value of depends mainly on the balance of the energy loss due to synchrotron radiation and the rate of replenishment of energy by injection of high energy electrons in the radiating region. The increase in the value of and therefore that of indicates that the activity in the object is slowing down and the object is growing older. Assuming that the QSOs, BL Lac objects and the nuclei of Seyfert, N and normal galaxies essentially represent different phases in the evolutionary sequence of extragalactic objects, we suggest that they may be arranged in the sequence: QSOsBL Lac objects Seyferts 1N galaxies Seyferts 2 Normal galaxies in the decreasing order of activity in the core or nuclei of these objects.On leave of absence from the Government Science College, Rajpur, M.P., India.     

On the direction of rotation of the spirals in galaxies

The detection of trailing arms in twenty spiral galaxies, completed by the 60s, allowed one to suggest the overwhelming prevalence of this sense of rotation. Pasha and Dambis (1982) have recently determined the direction of rotation in a further 54 galaxies and found two leading spirals, NGC 4490 and NGC 5395. The current sample of galaxies with an established sense of rotation contains 79 trailing and two leading systems. The two spirals found to be leading belong to M51 type galaxies.In this paper we present a more detailed investigation of the system NGC 4490/85 which confirms that the arms in NGC 4490 are leading. Statistics are invoked to estimate a probable percentageX _p and an upper limitX _up of galaxies with leading arms. It gives, for 79 trailing and two leading spirals, the valuesX _p 3.5% andX _up 8.2%.     

V-R diagram for spiral galaxies. New insights into the hubble sequence

We examine the relation between the global parameters of spiral galaxies and their morphological type. We have represented the rotational velocityV at a radius of 25 mag arc sec^–2 against this radiusR for a sample of 56 galaxies. Different types of galaxies appear separated on this diagram. We have plotted above theV-R diagram isolines of total mass, angular momentum and mean surface density for isolated galaxies with circular motion in centrifugal equilibrium showing: (1) That the parameter that represents the morphological type is the mean surface density or its observational parameterV ²/R. (2) From aV-R diagram we can easily see what kinds of correlations we expect to find between the global properties of galaxies and their morphological type. (3) For every morphological type of galaxies there is a critical mass above which there is a change in its dynamical behaviour. Finally, consideringV ²/R as representative of the morphological type, we can deduce theoretically the empirical Tully-Fisher relation and the dependence of the slope and the zero point on the morphological type. The separation in logV that we expect to find for different types of galaxies for a constant luminosity is the same order as the experimental errors in the determination of logV. This explains the tight power-law relationship observed between this and the luminosity.     

cD galaxies of apparent supergiant sizes due to the curvature of space

By combining two two-dimensional subspaces, closed into themselves due to curvature, it is possible to create a model of three-dimensional space of the same properties. If the Universe is a space of this type, its effect is that of a monstrous lens. Close objects are observed to diminish according to the normal law of perspective; however, the remote galaxies are seen to be very highly magnified.The apparent angular size² of a galaxy is more than the size¹ in flat space according to relation:² =¹ cosec , where is the angular distance from the observer to the galaxy. The diameter² d of a galaxy in curved space must be in the same relation to a diameter¹ d with no curvature of space:² d=¹ d cosec . The apparent angular size² and diameter² d are distorted shapes in consequence of an optical illusion caused by the spatial curvature.It is necessary to distribute the multitude of galaxies into two parts in accordance with their location on the close or reverse hemihypersphere of the Universe. The minimum of apparent angular size² of a galaxy of diameter¹ d is at the equatorial zone.The most likely candidates for location in the reverse hemi-hypersphere are cD's of apparent supergiant sizes due, probably, to the curvature of space. The existence of supergiant sizes of galaxies is the second indirect proof, besides superluminal velocities, that the Universe is closed into itself through curvature. The third indirect evidence, i.e., inductive confirmation of the same fact, is the superposition of galaxies which need not inevitably be a new alternative to the present theories of collisions, cannibalism, merger, etc.The fourth indirect proof of the positive curvature of the Universe is the occurrence of background radiation, because that must vanish in hyperbolic space irrespective of its origin. The gravitational lens effect acquires another theoretical form, as usual, in the case of remote galaxies, because it is impossible to distinguish between gravitator and lensing image.     

Quasi-stellar objects and evolution of galaxies

In view of the striking similarities between Quasi-Stellar Objects on the one hand and the nuclei of N galaxies, Seyfert galaxies, radio galaxies and normal galaxies on the other, the possibility that QSOs might belong to an early phase in the evolutionary sequence of galaxies is explored. In this connection, considering the fact that nebulosities have been detected around five QSOs, the implications of the hypothesis that a QSO consists of a bright central object embedded in an extended nebulosity have been examined. In particular, the ratio a between the intensity of the bright central object and that of the surrounding nebulosity in the visual band of wavelengths has been calculated by the colour-given method for a sample of 81 QSOs with emission redshiftz0.76. This ratio a has been used to calculate the apparent visual magnitudem(V) and the absolute visual magnitudeM(V) of the bright central object (Nu) as well as that of the surounding nebulosity (Neb) of the QSOs in the sample and a criterion has been proposed as to the detectability of the surrounding nebulosities. Similar calculations have been made for N galaxies, Seyfert galaxies and normal galaxies. It is found that the values of log a, M(V) _Nu and M(V) _Neb for the four classes of extragalactic objects show a definite trend and suggest an evolutionary sequence: QSOsN galaxiesSeyfert galaxiesnormal galaxies.