On the Density-Wave Theory of Galactic Spirals. II. The Propagation of the Density of Wave Action
Abstract
The properties of galactic density waves are studied in the WKBJ approximation. In the lowest order of approximation, we reproduce the dispersion relation reported by Lin and Shu in an earlier communi- cation. In the next order, we demonstrate explicitly that the density of "wave action" is transported with the group velocity derived by Toomre. Some general implications are drawn for mechanisms proposed for the origin of spiral structure
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- April 1970
- DOI:
- 10.1086/150410
- Bibcode:
- 1970ApJ...160...99S