Author ORCID Identifier

Stacy S. McGaugh

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1997

Abstract

Using analytic stability criteria we demonstrate that, because of their low surface mass density and large dark matter content, low surface brightness (LSB) disks are quite stable against the growth of global nonaxisymmetric modes such as bars. However, depending on their (poorly constrained) stellar velocity dispersions, they may be only marginally stable against local instabilities. We simulate a collision between an LSB and a high surface brightness (HSB) galaxy and find that, while the HSB galaxy forms a strong bar, the response of the LSB disk is milder, manifesting weaker rings and spiral features. The lack of sufficient disk self-gravity to amplify dynamical instabilities naturally explains the rarity of bars in LSB disks. The stability of LSB disks may also inhibit interaction-driven gas inflow and starburst activity in these galaxies.

Keywords

galaxies: evolution, galaxies: interactions, galaxies: kinematics and dynamics, galaxies: spiral, galaxies: starburst, galaxies: structure

Language

English

Publication Title

Astrophysical Journal

Grant

HF-01074.01-94A

Rights

© The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved. This content is free to access, download, and share. For all other uses, you must obtain permission to reuse content: https://journals.aas.org/article-charges-and-copyright/#AAS_material

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