Hydrodynamic Simulations of M51 and the interaction with NGC 5195

TL;DR

This paper presents hydrodynamic simulations modeling the interaction between M51 and NGC 5195, successfully reproducing detailed spiral structures and providing insights into the galaxy's morphology.

Contribution

First hydrodynamic simulations focusing on gas dynamics to model M51's spiral structure caused by interaction with NGC 5195.

Findings

Simulations accurately reproduce observed spiral features.

Demonstrates the role of galaxy interaction in spiral arm formation.

Provides detailed insights into gas dynamics during interaction.

Abstract

The M51 galaxy is one of best examples of grand design structure in galaxies. The most likely origin of the spiral arms in M51 is the ongoing interaction with NGC 5195. Here we report recent calculations which model the orbit of M51 and NGC 5195. These calculations, which for the first time focus on the gas dynamics, are able to reproduce even detailed features in M51, as well as demonstrate the nature of the spiral structure of M51.