The Distribution of Young Stars and Metals in Simulated Cosmological Disk Galaxies

TL;DR

This paper investigates the spatial distribution of young stars and metals in simulated disk galaxies, supporting classical density wave theory and linking star formation with metallicity patterns.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the age and metallicity distributions in simulated galaxies, aligning with observational data and classical theories.

Findings

Age patterns orthogonal to spiral arms support density wave theory.

Metallicity distribution correlates with star formation and age-metallicity relation.

Simulation results reinforce observed metallicity patterns in spiral galaxies.

Abstract

We examine the distribution of young stars associated with the spiral arms of a simulated L* cosmological disk galaxy. We find age patterns orthogonal to the arms which are not inconsistent with the predictions of classical density wave theory, a view further supported by recent observations of face-on Grand Design spirals such as M51. The distribution of metals within a simulated ~0.1L* disk is presented, reinforcing the link between star formation, the age-metallicity relation, and the metallicity distribution function.