A New Tidal Model of the Magellanic Stream
Abstract
This model was devised in an attempt to resolve the discrepancy found between the values for the mass of the Galaxy determined from distant satellites and from the Magellanic Stream. In contrast to previous tidal models, the past orbit of the Magellanic Clouds is not bound to the Galaxy. Instead, they set out in a Hubble flow together with M31 and the Galaxy, were subsequently attracted to M31, and suffered a close (<~60 kpc) collision with it ~6 Gyr ago. The tidal accelerations in this collision projected them back toward the Galaxy and also produced the velocity differentials required to establish the Stream. An attractive feature of this model, which was designed to be compatible with the M31- Galaxy timing argument, is that it provides an explanation for the fact that the plane containing the Galaxy, the Magellanic Clouds, and M31 is close (~24^deg^x) to that of the Magellanic Stream. It also accounts naturally for the high angular momentum of the Magellanic Clouds with respect to the Galaxy.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- February 1992
- DOI:
- 10.1086/170996
- Bibcode:
- 1992ApJ...386..101S
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Models;
- Galactic Mass;
- Magellanic Clouds;
- Milky Way Galaxy;
- Andromeda Galaxy;
- Galactic Structure;
- Tides;
- Astrophysics;
- CELESTIAL MECHANICS;
- STELLAR DYNAMICS;
- GALAXIES: DISTANCES AND REDSHIFTS;
- GALAXIES: LOCAL GROUP;
- GALAXIES: MAGELLANIC CLOUDS