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Gas Flow and Star Formation in the `Antennae' Galaxies NGC 4038/9

P. Englmaier·D. Rigopoulou·S. Mengel
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Abstract

The prominent interacting galaxy pair NGC 4038/9 contains many active star-forming regions and is continuously forming new star clusters. We present a self-consistent n-body model for this system which includes an SPH gas component. The model qualitatively explains the apparent concentration of gas in the so-called overlap region between the two nuclei as a bridge of gas connecting the two galaxies. Projected on the sky, the bridge appears as a dense spot of gas. We discuss some implications for the evolution of Ultra-luminous infrared galaxies.

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P. Englmaier, D. Rigopoulou, S. Mengel. 2000-08-23. Gas Flow and Star Formation in the `Antennae' Galaxies NGC 4038/9. https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0008359

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