Galactic Rotation Curve and the Effect of Density Waves from Data on Young Objects

TL;DR

This study derives the Galactic rotation curve using young star data, identifies density wave patterns, and estimates their properties, revealing the influence of spiral density waves on Galactic dynamics.

Contribution

It provides new measurements of the Galactic rotation curve and density wave parameters based on young objects, enhancing understanding of spiral structure effects.

Findings

Galactic rotation curve established between 3-12 kpc.

Detected density wave peaks with specific wavelengths and amplitudes.

Confirmed periodic velocity perturbations consistent with spiral density waves.

Abstract

Based on currently available data on the three-dimensional field of space velocities of young (<50 Myr) open star clusters and the radial velocities of HI clouds and star-forming (HII) regions, we have found the Galactic rotation curve in the range of Galactocentric distances 3 kpc <R<12 kpc using the first six terms of the Taylor expansion of the angular velocity of Galactic rotation in Bottlinger's equations. The Oort constants found are A= 15.5+-0.3 km/s/kpc and B=-12.2+-0.7 km/s/kpc. We have established that the centroid of the sample moves relative to the local standard of rest along the Galactic Y axis with a velocity of -6.2+-0.8 km/s. A Fourier spectral analysis of the velocity residuals from the derived rotation curve attributable to density waves reveals three dominant peaks with wavelengths of 2.5, 1.4, and 0.9 kpc and amplitudes of 4.7, 2.6, and 3.6 km/s, respectively. These have allowed us to estimate the distances between the density wave peaks, 1.9, 2.4, and 3.2 kpc as R increases, in agreement with the description of the density weave as a logarithmic spiral. The amplitude of the density wave perturbations is largest in the inner part of the Galaxy, about 9 km/s, and decreases to approximately 1 km/s in its outer part. A spectral analysis of the radial velocities of young open star clusters has confirmed the presence of periodic perturbations with an amplitude of 5.9+-1.1 km/s and a wavelength 1.7+-0.5 kpc. It shows that the phase of the Sun in the density wave is close to -90 degrees and the Sun is located in the interarm space near the outer edge of the Carina-Sagittarius arm.