Gaseous Haloes: Linking Galaxies to the IGM

Recent observations show that spiral galaxies are surrounded by massive and extended haloes of both neutral and ionized gas. These gaseous haloes have peculiar kinematics with respect to their discs: they rotate more slowly and they show an overall inflow motion. Theoretical models of the formation of these gaseous haloes show that they cannot originate solely from a galactic fountain (supernova outflows from the disk); substantial accretion of material from the Intergalactic Medium should play an important role.