The 3-Dimensional Structure of NGC 891 and M51

TL;DR

This paper models the 3D structure of NGC 891 and M51 using radiative transfer simulations, successfully reproducing their observed spectral energy distributions and internal color gradients.

Contribution

It introduces detailed 3D radiative transfer models with spiral structure and dust clumping that match observed SEDs and color gradients of these galaxies.

Findings

Models reproduce the UV-to-FIR SED of NGC 891.

Models match the SED and color gradient of M51.

Incorporating spiral structure and dust clumping improves SED fitting.

Abstract

We investigate the three-dimensional structure of the nearby edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 891 using 3D Monte Carlo radiative transfer models, with realistic spiral structure and fractally clumped dust. Using the spiral and clumpiness parameters found from recently completed scattered light models we produce lower resolution SED models which reproduce the global UV-to-FIR SED of NGC 891. Our models contain a color gradient across the major axis of the galaxy - similar to what is seen in images of the NGC 891. With minor adjustment our SED models are able to match the majority of M51's SED, a similar galaxy at a near face-on different inclination.