On the Tidal Evolution and Tails Formation of Disc Galaxies

TL;DR

This study models the tidal effects of external perturbers on disc galaxies using a generalized potential, analyzing how these forces influence galaxy evolution and the formation of tidal tails based on observational data.

Contribution

It introduces a generalized interaction potential for better modeling of tidal effects on disc galaxies, extending previous Keplerian models.

Findings

Tidal forces can significantly distort disc galaxies.

The formation of tidal tails depends on the perturber's orbit and strength.

Graphical simulations illustrate galaxy evolution under tidal influences.

Abstract

In this paper, we want to study the tidal effect of an external perturber upon a disc galaxy based on the generalization of already used Keplerian potential. The generalization of the simple ideal Keplerian potential includes an orbital centripetal term and an overall finite range controlling correction. Considering the generalized form of the interaction potential, the velocity impulse expressions resulting from tidal forces are computed; then, using typical real values already known from modern observational data, the evolution of the disc including tidal tails formation is graphically investigated.