arXiv subjects

J. Jimenez-Vicente

Publications and source records attributed to J. Jimenez-Vicente.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv1998

A simple model of magnetically induced warps

Assuming the magnetic hypothesis for the formation of warps, we deduce a very simple formula for the warp curve in an idealized scenario. According to this formula the warp rises as the third power of radius in the innermost warped region, reaches the maximum slope at intermediate radii and has an asymptotic slope coincident with the direction of the extragalactic magnetic field. In most cases, however, the galaxy's limited size prevents the observation of the full curve. Even though the model is highly simplified, it basically reproduces real warp curves, in particular the 21 cm warp curve of NGC 5907. If the magnetic model were considered to be correct, the fitting of warp curves could allow rough estimations of the strength and direction of the magnetic field. We also propose a magnetic field distribution for the outermost part of the galaxy, matching the boundary conditions of being azimuthal inside, and constant at infinity. We use this magnetic field distribution to show that the assumptions made to obtain the warp curve with our simple model cannot introduce important errors.

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arXiv1998

The truncation of stellar discs. A theoretical model

The truncation of stellar discs is not abrupt but characterized by a continuous distancing from the exponential profile. There exists a truncation curve, $t(r)$, ending at a truncation radius, $r_t$. We present here a theoretical model in which it is assumed that the magnetic hypothesis explaining the flat rotation curve also explains the truncation. Once stars are born, the centripetal magnetic force previously acting on the progenitor gas cloud is suddenly interrupted, and stars must move to larger orbits or escape. The agreement between theoretical and observed truncation curves is very satisfactory. Parameters defining the disc gas rotation curve should therefore be related to those defining the truncation. It is predicted that rotation curves that quickly reach the asymptotic value $θ_0 = θ(r=\infty)$ would have small truncation radii. On the contrary, $r_t$ and $θ_0$ itself, would be uncorrelated quantities.

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arXiv1997

Geometrical parametrization of warps for edge-on galaxies

We propose new parameters to describe the geometry of a warped disc when viewed edge-on, a global warp parameter $w$, and a family of three parameters $A$, $B$ and $C$ that describe, independently, the shape of the warp. These parameters are useful to detect some key effects in the understanding of warps. We have also developed software (WIG) which is able to calculate these parameters for a given image of a galaxy in any wavelength and which is described here with some examples, namely ESO 235-53 in the optical, NGC 4013 in 21 cm and NGC 4565 in 1.2 mm continuum.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

The radial scale length of the Milky Way

The radial scale length of the exponential component of the disc of the Milky Way has been determined in the near infrared. We have used the TMGS (Two Micron Galactic Survey) database which contains positions and K-magnitudes of about 700.000 stars distributed in serveral regions along the galactic plane. From those we have selected areas more than $5^\circ$ off the plane to minimize the effect of extinction and the contributions of the young disc; and with longitudes ranging from $30^\circ$ to $70^\circ$, to avoid contaminations from the central bulge, the bar and the molecular ring, in the inner end, and from the local arm, the warp and the truncation of the disc, in the outer end. We observed stars with magnitude $ 9 \leq m_K \leq 10 $. The use of the NIR K-band also reduces the effect of extinction. In the observation region, m_K=9.5 mag stars are K2-K5 III stars, with an absolute magnitude that is nearly constant, which also greatly simplifies the problem. We have obtained the value $2.1 \pm 0.3 kpc$ for the radial scale length, which is a typical value when compared with external galaxies of similar types.

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arXiv1997

Magnetic Fields and Large Scale Structure in a hot Universe. I. General Equations

We consider that no mean magnetic field exists during this epoch, but that there is a mean magnetic energy associated with large-scale magnetic inhomogeneities. We study the evolution of these inhomogeneities and their influence on the large scale density structure, by introducing linear perturbations in Maxwell equations, the conservation of momentum-energy equation, and in Einstein field equations. The primordial magnetic field structure is time independent in the linear approximation, only being diluted by the general expansion, so that $\vec{B}R^2$ is conserved in comoving coordinates. Magnetic fields have a strong influence on the formation of large-scale structure. Firstly, relatively low fields are able to generate density structures even if they were inexistent at earlier times. Second, magnetic fields act anisotropically more recently, modifying the evolution of individual density clouds. Magnetic flux tubes have a tendency to concentrate photons in filamentary patterns.

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