Collisions and mergers of disk galaxies: Hydrodynamics of star forming gas

We summarize the results of numerical simulations of colliding gas-rich disk galaxies in which the impact velocity is set parallel to the spin axes of the two galaxies. The effects of varying the impact speed are studied with particular attention to the resulting gaseous structures and shockwave patterns, and the time needed to produce these structures. The simulations employ an N-body treatment of the stars and dark matter, together with an SPH treatment of the gas, in which all components of the models are gravitationally active. The results indicate that for such impact geometries, collisions can lead to the very rapid formation of a central, rapidly rotating, dense gas disk, and that in all cases extensive star formation is predicted by the very high gas densities and prevalence of shocks, both in the nucleus and out in the galactic disks. As the dense nucleus is forming, gas and stars are dispersed over very large volumes, and only fall back towards the nucleus over long times. In the case of low impact velocities, this takes an order of magnitude more time than that needed for the formation of a dense nucleus. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A Direct Image of the Inner Torus of NGC 1068

We present the first VLBI observations of the compact source S1 in the radio jet of NGC 1068. Roughly 1 pc in length and 0.2 pc wide, S1 resolves into clumps aligned perpendicular to the local radio jet axis. The radio continuum emission arises from a hot (Te ~ 106 K), dense (ne ~ 106 cm-3) plasma, and the source of the radio emission is either thermal free-free emission or Thomson-reflected synchrotron emission. The clouds comprising S1 are opaque to soft X-radiation, and we therefore propose that S1 is the inner, ionized region, or ‘hot zone,’ of the obscuring medium surrounding the active nucleus. The covering fraction of the hot zone is small, Cf ⋦ 10%. Since the covering fraction of the dusty, obscuring medium is probably much larger, the obscuring disk must either flare or warp outside of the hot zone. That the radio jet and hot zone axes are perpendicular also suggests that the hot zone may be considered to trace the outermost extent of the accretion disk. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Formation of ionization-cone structures in active galactic nuclei: II. Nonlinear hydrodynamic modelling

In Part I of this paper (Paper I) we described an equilibrium model of a jet in the gravitational field corresponding to the rigid-rotation region of the galactic disk. We used linear stability analysis to find the waveguide-resonance instability of internal gravity waves due to the superreflection of these waves from the jet boundary. In this part of the paper, we perform nonlinear numerical 2D and 3D simulations of the development of this instability. We show that the shocks produced by this instability in the ambient medium of the jet are localized inside a cone with a large opening angle and are capable of producing features that are morphologically similar to those observed in galaxies with active nuclei (NGC 5252 for example).     

Exploring the nature of orbits in a galactic model with a massive nucleus

In the present article, we use an axially symmetric galactic gravitational model with a disk–halo and a spherical nucleus, in order to investigate the transition from regular to chaotic motion for stars moving in the meridian (r,z) plane. We study in detail the transition from regular to chaotic motion, in two different cases: the time independent model and the time evolving model. In both cases, we explored all the available range regarding the values of the main involved parameters of the dynamical system. In the time dependent model, we follow the evolution of orbits as the galaxy develops a dense and massive nucleus in its core, as mass is transported exponentially from the disk to the galactic center. We apply the classical method of the Poincaré (r,p_r) phase plane, in order to distinguish between ordered and chaotic motion. The Lyapunov Characteristic Exponent is used, to make an estimation of the degree of chaos in our galactic model and also to help us to study the time dependent model. In addition, we construct some numerical diagrams in which we present the correlations between the main parameters of our galactic model. Our numerical calculations indicate, that stars with values of angular momentum L_z less than or equal to a critical value L_zc, moving near to the galactic plane, are scattered to the halo upon encountering the nuclear region and subsequently display chaotic motion. A linear relationship exists between the critical value of the angular momentum L_zc and the mass of the nucleus M_n. Furthermore, the extent of the chaotic region increases as the value of the mass of the nucleus increases. Moreover, our simulations indicate that the degree of chaos increases linearly, as the mass of the nucleus increases. A comparison is made between the critical value L_zc and the circular angular momentum L_z0 at different distances from the galactic center. In the time dependent model, there are orbits that change their orbital character from regular to chaotic and vise versa and also orbits that maintain their character during the galactic evolution. These results strongly indicate that the ordered or chaotic nature of orbits, depends on the presence of massive objects in the galactic cores of the galaxies. Our results suggest, that for disk galaxies with massive and prominent nuclei, the low angular momentum stars in the associated central regions of the galaxy, must be in predominantly chaotic orbits. Some theoretical arguments to support the numerically derived outcomes are presented. Comparison with similar previous works is also made.     

Collimation of a Central Wind by a Disk-Associated Magnetic Field

We present the results of time-dependent, numerical magnetohydrodynamic simulations of a realistic young stellar object outflow model with the addition of a disk-associated magnetic field. The outflow produced by the magnetic star-disk interaction consists of an episodic jet plus a wide-angle wind with an outflow speed comparable to that of the jet (100–200 km s^-1). An initially vertical field of ? 0.1 Gauss, embedded in the disk, has little effect on the wind launching mechanism, but we show that it collimates the entire flow (jet + wide wind) at large (several AU) distances. The collimation does not depend on the polarity of the vertical field. We also discuss the possible origin of the disk-associated field.     

Unified model for the radio and X-ray emissions from nova CI Cam 1998

We investigate the possibility of constructing a unified model for the radio and X-ray outbursts of nova CI Cam 1998 in terms of the shock interaction of the nova envelope with circumstellar gas. In a spherical model, we manage to describe the kinematics and evolution of the radio source flux and very roughly the evolution of the X-ray flux. The X-ray spectrum in this model is appreciably harder. Better agreement with observations in all respects is shown by the model for the interaction of a spherical nova envelope with a nonspherical circumstellar medium. The latter is simulated in our model by a combination of rarefied bipolar conical outflows of stationary wind with an opening angle of 120° and a dense equatorial disk. In the optimal model, the initial kinetic energy of the nova envelope is ∼5 × 10⁴³ erg and its mass lies within the range (1–5) × 10⁻⁷ M _⊙. The energy and mass of the nova envelope as well as the mass loss rate in the nonspherical model are close to those obtained in the spherical model by Filippova et al. (2008).     

Design of jet-driven, radiative-blast-wave experiments for 10 kJ class lasers

We discuss the design of jet-driven, radiative-blast-wave experiments for a 10 kJ class pulsed laser facility. The astrophysical motivation is the fact that jets from Young Stellar Objects are typically radiative and that the resulting radiative bow shocks produce complex structure that is difficult to predict. To drive a radiative bow shock, the jet velocity must exceed the threshold for strong radiative effects. Using a 10 kJ class laser, it is possible to produce such a jet that can drive a radiative bow shock in gas that is dense enough to permit diagnosis by x-ray radiography. We describe the design and simulations of such experiments. The basic approach is to shock the jet material and then accelerate it through a collimating hole and into a Xe ambient medium. We identify issues that must be addressed through experimentation or further simulations in order to field successful experiments.     

Turbulent convection in rapidly rotating spherical shells: A model for equatorial and high latitude jets on Jupiter and Saturn

The origin of zonal jets on the jovian planets has long been a topic of scientific debate. In this paper we show that deep convection in a spherical shell can generate zonal flow comparable to that observed on Jupiter and Saturn, including a broad prograde equatorial jet and multiple alternating jets at higher latitudes. We present fully turbulent, 3D spherical numerical simulations of rapidly rotating convection with different spherical shell geometries. The resulting global flow fields tend to be segregated into three regions (north, equatorial, and south), bounded by the tangent cylinder that circumscribes the inner boundary equator. In all of our simulations a strong prograde equatorial jet forms outside the tangent cylinder, whereas multiple jets form in the northern and southern hemispheres, inside the tangent cylinder. The jet scaling of our numerical models and of Jupiter and Saturn is consistent with the theory of geostrophic turbulence, which we extend to include the effect of spherical shell geometry. Zonal flow in a spherical shell is distinguished from that in a full sphere or a shallow layer by the effect of the tangent cylinder, which marks a reversal in the sign of the planetary β-parameter and a jump in the Rhines length. This jump is manifest in the numerical simulations as a sharp equatorward increase in jet widths—a transition that is also observed on Jupiter and Saturn. The location of this transition gives an estimate of the depth of zonal flow, which seems to be consistent with current models of the jovian and saturnian interiors.     

Three episodes of jet activity in the Fanaroff–Riley type II radio galaxy B0925+420

We present Very Large Array images of a 'double–double radio galaxy', a class of objects in which two pairs of lobes are aligned either side of the nucleus. In this object, B0 925+420, we discover a third pair of lobes, close to the core and again in alignment with the other lobes. This first-known 'triple–double' object strongly increases the likelihood that these lobes represent multiple episodes of jet activity, as opposed to knots in an underlying jet. We model the lobes in terms of their dynamical evolution. We find that the inner pair of lobes are consistent with the outer pair having been displaced buoyantly by the ambient medium. The middle pair of lobes are more problematic – to the extent where an alternative model interpreting the middle and inner 'lobes' as additional bow shocks within the outer lobes may be more appropriate – and we discuss the implications of this on our understanding of the density of the ambient medium.     

3D MHD Simulations of Laboratory Plasma Jets

Jets and outflows are thought to be an integral part of accretion phenomena and are associated with a large variety of objects. In these systems, the interaction of magnetic fields with an accretion disk and/or a magnetized central object is thought to be responsible for the acceleration and collimation of plasma into jets and wider angle flows. In this paper we present three-dimensional MHD simulations of magnetically driven, radiatively cooled laboratory jets that are produced on the MAGPIE experimental facility. The general outflow structure comprises an expanding magnetic cavity which is collimated by the pressure of an extended plasma background medium, and a magnetically confined jet which develops within the magnetic cavity. Although this structure is intrinsically transient and instabilities in the jet and disruption of the magnetic cavity ultimately lead to its break-up, a well collimated, “knotty” jet still emerges from the system; such clumpy morphology is reminiscent of that observed in many astrophysical jets. The possible introduction in the experiments of angular momentum and axial magnetic field will also be discussed.     

Estimating the dark halo mass from the relative thickness of stellar disks

We analyze the relationship between the mass of a spherical component and the minimum possible thickness of stable stellar disks. This relationship for real galaxies allows the lower limit on the dark halo mass to be estimated (the thinner the stable stellar disk is, the more massive the dark halo must be). In our analysis, we use both theoretical relations and numerical N-body simulations of the dynamical evolution of thin disks in the presence of spherical components with different density profiles and different masses. We conclude that the theoretical relationship between the thickness of disk galaxies and the mass of their spherical components is a lower envelope for the model data points. We recommend using this theoretical relationship to estimate the lower limit for the dark halo mass in galaxies. The estimate obtained turns out to be weak. Even for the thinnest galaxies, the dark halo mass within four exponential disk scale lengths must be more than one stellar disk mass.     

Bending instability of stellar disks: The stabilizing effect of a compact bulge

The saturation conditions for bending modes in inhomogeneous thin stellar disks that follow from an analysis of the dispersion relation are compared with those derived from N-body simulations. In the central regions of inhomogeneous disks, the reserve of disk strength against the growth of bending instability is smaller than that for a homogeneous layer. The spheroidal component (a dark halo, a bulge) is shown to have a stabilizing effect. The latter turns out to depend not only on the total mass of the spherical component, but also on the degree of mass concentration toward the center. We conclude that the presence of a compact (not necessarily massive) bulge in spiral galaxies may prove to be enough to suppress the bending perturbations that increase the disk thickness. This conclusion is corroborated by our N-body simulations in which we simulated the evolution of near-equilibrium, but unstable finite-thickness disks in the presence of spheroidal components. The final disk thickness at the same total mass of the spherical component (dark halo + bulge) was found to be much smaller than that in the simulations where a concentrated bulge is present.     

Magnetic-Tower Jet Solution for Launching Astrophysical Jets

In spite of the large number of global three-dimensional (3-D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of accretion disks and astrophysical jets, which have been developed since 2000, the launching mechanisms of jets is somewhat controversial. Previous studies of jets have concentrated on the effect of the large-scale magnetic fields permeating accretion disks. However, the existence of such global magnetic fields is not evident in various astrophysical objects, and their origin is not well understood. Thus, we study the effect of small-scale magnetic fields confined within the accretion disk. We review our recent findings on the formation of jets in dynamo-active accretion disks by using 3-D MHD simulations. In our simulations, we found the emergence of accumulated azimuthal magnetic fields from the inner region of the disk (the so-called magnetic tower) and also the formation of a jet accelerated by the magnetic pressure of the tower. Our results indicate that the magnetic tower jet is one of the most promising mechanisms for launching jets from the magnetized accretion disk in various astrophysical objects. We will discuss the formation of cosmic jets in the context of the magnetic tower model.     

Head-on Collision of Disk–Sphere Galaxies

Numerical simulations are performed to study the tidal effects of non-merging rapid head-on collision between a disk galaxy and a spherical galaxy. The disk consists of three components – a disk, a bulge and a halo – and the spherical galaxy is a Plummer model. The galaxies have the same dimensions with different mass ratios viz., 2, 1 and 0.5. They move in a rectilinear orbit with a relative velocity of 1000 km s⁻¹. None of the simulations leads to the merger of the galaxies by tidal capture. The results of our simulations indicate that although tidal effects are sensitive to both the mass ratio and the inclination of the disk to the orbital plane, it is the mass ratio which is more important in producing tidal damage to the less massive galaxy. The spherical galaxy undergoes considerable tidal effects if the mass of the disk is same or larger. On the other hand the collisions in which the mass of the spherical galaxy is more, result in the formation of a ring structure after the closest approach and the structure disappears by the end of the simulations.     

On the Rayleigh–Taylor instability of radio bubbles in galaxy clusters

We consider the Rayleigh–Taylor instability in the early evolution of the rarefied radio bubbles (cavities) observed in many cooling-flow clusters of galaxies. The top of a bubble becomes prone to the Rayleigh–Taylor instability as the bubble rises through the intracluster medium (ICM). We show that while the jet is powering the inflation, the deceleration of the bubble–ICM interface is able to reverse the Rayleigh–Taylor instability criterion. In addition, the inflation introduces a drag effect which increases substantially the instability growth time. The combined action of these two effects considerably delays the onset of the instability. Later on, when the magnitude of the deceleration drops or the jet fades, the Rayleigh–Taylor and the Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities set in and eventually disrupt the bubble. We conclude that the initial deceleration and drag, albeit unable to prevent the disruption of a bubble, may significantly lengthen its lifetime, removing the need to invoke stabilizing magnetic fields.     

The influence of the environment on the propagation of protostellar outflows

The properties of bipolar outflows depend on the structure in the environment as well as the nature of the jet. To help distinguish between the two, we investigate here the properties pertaining to the ambient medium. We execute axisymmetric hydrodynamic simulations, injecting continuous atomic jets into molecular media with density gradients (protostellar cores) and density discontinuities (thick swept-up sheets). We determine the distribution of outflowing mass with radial velocity (the mass spectrum) to quantify our approach and to compare to observationally determined values. We uncover a sequence from clump entrainment in the flanks to bow shock sweeping as the density profile steepens. We also find that the dense, highly supersonic outflows remain collimated but can become turbulent after passing through a shell. The mass spectra vary substantially in time, especially at radial speeds exceeding 15 km s⁻¹. The mass spectra also vary according to the conditions: both envelope-type density distributions and the passage through dense sheets generate considerably steeper mass spectra than a uniform medium. The simulations suggest that observed outflows penetrate highly non-uniform media.     

Collimation of astrophysical MHD outflows

We explain in simple terms why a rotating and magnetized outflow forms a core with a jet and show numerical simulations which substantiate this argument. The outflow from a solar-type inefficient magnetic rotator is found to be very weakly collimated while the outflow from a ten times faster rotating YSO is shown to produce a tightly collimated jet. This gives rise to an evolutionary scenario for stellar outflows. We also propose a two-component model consisting of a wind outflow from a central object and a faster rotating outflow launched from a surrounding accretion disk which plays the role of the flow collimator.     

Evidence for initial jet formation by an accretion disk in the radio galaxy M87

The nearby E0 galaxy M87 in the Virgo Cluster contains one of the nearest examples of a powerful non-thermal jet source. In addition, HST spectroscopy of its nucleus give strong evidence for the presence of a ≈3×10⁹ M_⊙ central black hole (corresponding to Schwarzschild radius R_s∼0.0004 pc). These two facts together make M87 the best possible target for studying the initial jet formation and collimation process. Herein we report new 43 GHz VLBI observations of the nucleus of this galaxy, which clearly show the jet opening angle expanding rapidly as one approaches the core on scales ∼0.01 pc. We believe we have, for the first time, imaged the initial collimation region of a powerful extragalactic jet. We find significant collimation occurring on scales of 30–100 R_s, and argue this is consistent with expectations for poloidal collimation by a rotating accretion disk.