Storm fronts over galaxy discs: Models of how waves generate extraplanar gas and its anomalous kinematics

TL;DR

This study uses hydrodynamic models to explore how waves and star formation in galaxy discs generate extraplanar gas with anomalous kinematics, revealing the role of disc asymmetries and vertical motions.

Contribution

It demonstrates that bars and spiral waves induce partial extraplanar gas layers with complex motions, explaining observed kinematic anomalies in galaxy halos.

Findings

Extraplanar gas layers are generated mainly over wave regions.

Kinematic anomalies result from three-dimensional motions breaking cylindrical symmetry.

EDIG can contain significant cool gas and be associated with star formation at high altitudes.

Abstract

The existence of partially ionized, diffuse gas and dust clouds at kiloparsec scale distances above the central planes of edge-on, galaxy discs was an unexpected discovery about 20 yrs ago. Subsequent observations showed that this EDIG (extended or extraplanar diffuse interstellar gas) has rotation velocities approximately 10-20% lower than those in the central plane, and have been hard to account for. Here we present results of hydrodynamic models, with radiative cooling and heating from star formation. We find that in models with star formation generated stochastically across the disc an extraplanar gas layer is generated as long as the star formation is sufficiently strong. However, this gas rotates at nearly the same speed as the mid-plane gas. We then studied a range of models with imposed spiral or bar waves in the disc. EDIG layers were also generated in these models, but primarily over the wave regions, not over the entire disc. Because of this partial coverage, the EDIG clouds move radially, as well as vertically, with the result that observed kinematic anomalies are reproduced. The implication is that the kinematic anomalies are the result of three-dimensional motions when the cylindrical symmetry of the disc is broken. Thus, the kinematic anomalies are the result of bars or strong waves, and more face-on galaxies with such waves should have an asymmetric EDIG component. The models also indicate that the EDIG can contain a significant fraction of cool gas, and that some star formation can be triggered at considerable heights above the disc midplane. We expect all of these effects to be more prominent in young, forming discs, to play a role in rapidly smoothing disc asymmetries, and in working to self-regulate disc structure.