A Comprehensive Analysis on the Nature of the Spiral Arms in NGC 3686, NGC 4321, and NGC 2403

In theoretical investigations, various mechanisms have been put forward to explain the emergence of spiral patterns in galaxies. One of the few ways to find out the nature of spirals in a particular galaxy is to consider the so-called corotation radius, or corotation resonance. A distinctly defined...

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Main Authors: Valeria Kostiuk, Alexander Marchuk, Alexander Gusev, Ilia V. Chugunov
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Galaxies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4434/13/2/27
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author Valeria Kostiuk
Alexander Marchuk
Alexander Gusev
Ilia V. Chugunov
author_facet Valeria Kostiuk
Alexander Marchuk
Alexander Gusev
Ilia V. Chugunov
author_sort Valeria Kostiuk
collection DOAJ
description In theoretical investigations, various mechanisms have been put forward to explain the emergence of spiral patterns in galaxies. One of the few ways to find out the nature of spirals in a particular galaxy is to consider the so-called corotation radius, or corotation resonance. A distinctly defined corotation resonance is likely to indicate the existence of a spiral density wave, while the chaotic distribution of their positions may suggest a dynamic nature to the spiral structure. In this study, we analyzed measurements of the corotation radius obtained using several methods for three galaxies (NGC 3686, NGC 4321, and NGC 2403) that exhibit different morphologies of spiral structures. We also performed independent measurements to estimate the location of the resonance, which allowed us to determine whether each galaxy has a clear corotation radius position. This examination, along with other tests such as stellar age gradient, interlocking resonances, and the radial distribution of metallicity, enables us to understand the mechanism that may be responsible for the formation of spiral arms in the studied galaxies.
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spelling doaj-art-feaea24ded2547f0aeb235071dfc69be2025-08-20T02:28:36ZengMDPI AGGalaxies2075-44342025-03-011322710.3390/galaxies13020027A Comprehensive Analysis on the Nature of the Spiral Arms in NGC 3686, NGC 4321, and NGC 2403Valeria Kostiuk0Alexander Marchuk1Alexander Gusev2Ilia V. Chugunov3Sternberg Astronomical Institute, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Universitetsky pr. 13, 119234 Moscow, RussiaCentral (Pulkovo) Astronomical Observatory, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pulkovskoye chaussee 65/1, 196140 St. Petersburg, RussiaSternberg Astronomical Institute, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Universitetsky pr. 13, 119234 Moscow, RussiaCentral (Pulkovo) Astronomical Observatory, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pulkovskoye chaussee 65/1, 196140 St. Petersburg, RussiaIn theoretical investigations, various mechanisms have been put forward to explain the emergence of spiral patterns in galaxies. One of the few ways to find out the nature of spirals in a particular galaxy is to consider the so-called corotation radius, or corotation resonance. A distinctly defined corotation resonance is likely to indicate the existence of a spiral density wave, while the chaotic distribution of their positions may suggest a dynamic nature to the spiral structure. In this study, we analyzed measurements of the corotation radius obtained using several methods for three galaxies (NGC 3686, NGC 4321, and NGC 2403) that exhibit different morphologies of spiral structures. We also performed independent measurements to estimate the location of the resonance, which allowed us to determine whether each galaxy has a clear corotation radius position. This examination, along with other tests such as stellar age gradient, interlocking resonances, and the radial distribution of metallicity, enables us to understand the mechanism that may be responsible for the formation of spiral arms in the studied galaxies.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4434/13/2/27galaxiesspiral structuregalactic dynamics and kinematics
spellingShingle Valeria Kostiuk
Alexander Marchuk
Alexander Gusev
Ilia V. Chugunov
A Comprehensive Analysis on the Nature of the Spiral Arms in NGC 3686, NGC 4321, and NGC 2403
Galaxies
galaxies
spiral structure
galactic dynamics and kinematics
title A Comprehensive Analysis on the Nature of the Spiral Arms in NGC 3686, NGC 4321, and NGC 2403
title_full A Comprehensive Analysis on the Nature of the Spiral Arms in NGC 3686, NGC 4321, and NGC 2403
title_fullStr A Comprehensive Analysis on the Nature of the Spiral Arms in NGC 3686, NGC 4321, and NGC 2403
title_full_unstemmed A Comprehensive Analysis on the Nature of the Spiral Arms in NGC 3686, NGC 4321, and NGC 2403
title_short A Comprehensive Analysis on the Nature of the Spiral Arms in NGC 3686, NGC 4321, and NGC 2403
title_sort comprehensive analysis on the nature of the spiral arms in ngc 3686 ngc 4321 and ngc 2403
topic galaxies
spiral structure
galactic dynamics and kinematics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4434/13/2/27
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