The Dynamical Role of Cosmic Rays in Galactic Winds
Abstract
Cosmic rays are well-known for generating synchrotron radiation, as well as for helping to ionize cool gas in the interstellar medium. In this paper, we review the dynamical role of cosmic rays, focusing in particular on the Streaming Instability and how cosmic-ray pressure can help to launch galactic winds. We review progress in modeling soft X-ray emission and synchrotron emission, observed towards the center of the Milky Way, as a wind driven by both cosmic-ray and thermal-gas pressure. We also outline our ongoing work to include driving by magnetic pressure and galactic rotation, in a general semi-analytic numerical framework.
- Publication:
-
The Dynamic Interstellar Medium: A Celebration of the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey
- Pub Date:
- December 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010ASPC..438...45E