Modeling Encounters of Galaxies: The Case of NGC4449

dc.creatorTheis, Christian
dc.date1999-07-17
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-07T06:32:07Z
dc.date.available2026-07-07T06:32:07Z
dc.description(abridged) Several N-body methods were combined in order to develop a method for the determination of the parameters of interacting galaxies. This method has been applied to the HI distribution of NGC4449. In a first step the fast restricted N-body models were used to confine a region in parameter space reproducing the main observational features. In a second step a genetic algorithm is introduced which allows for an automated search in parameter space as well as for a uniqueness test of special parameter sets. Using artificial data I show that the genetic algorithm reliably recovers orbital parameters. In the third step the results of the restricted N-body models are compared with detailed self-consistent N-body simulations. In the case of NGC4449 the applicability of the simple restricted N-body calculations is demonstrated. NGC4449 is an active star-forming dwarf galaxy of Magellanic type. From radio observations van Woerden et al. (1975) found an extended HI-halo around NGC4449 which is at least a factor of 10 larger than the optical diameter. More recently, Bajaja et al. (1994) and Hunter et al. (1998) discerned details in the HI-halo: a disc-like feature around the center of NGC4449 and a lopsided arm structure. In a series of simulations it is demonstrated that the main features can be obtained by a gravitational interaction between NGC4449 and DDO125, another nearby dwarf galaxy. According to these calculations the closest approach between both galaxies happened 350 Myr ago at a minimum distance of 25 kpc on a nearly parabolic orbit. In case of the encounter scenario, the dynamical mass of DDO125 should not be smaller than 10% of NGC4449's mass. The origin of this disc is still unclear, but it might be caused by a previous interaction.
dc.description26 pages, 18 figures, to appear in Proc. of the Annual Meeting of the Astronomische Gesellschaft, Heidelberg, 1998, Rev. Mod. Astron. 12, a full PostScript version is available at http://www.astrophysik.uni-kiel.de/papers/papers_aghen/e-theis_99.html
dc.identifierhttps://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9907237
dc.identifierhttp://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9907237
dc.identifier.urihttp://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/98807
dc.subjectAstrophysics
dc.titleModeling Encounters of Galaxies: The Case of NGC4449
dc.typetext

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