Effects of a caustic ring of dark matter on the distribution of stars and interstellar gas

TL;DR

This paper investigates how caustic rings of dark matter influence the distribution and motion of stars and gas in the galaxy, predicting observable overdensities and velocity patterns near these rings.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed model of star and gas dynamics around dark matter caustic rings, predicting specific overdensities and velocities that can be tested observationally.

Findings

Stellar overdensities of up to 120% near the 2nd caustic ring.

Stars oscillate around caustic rings for about 1 Gyr.

Bulk stellar velocities near caustic rings are less than a few km/s.

Abstract

Caustic rings of dark matter with $\textit{tricusp}$ cross-section were predicted to lie in the galactic disk. Their radii increase on cosmological time scales at a rate of order $1$ kpc/Gyr. When a caustic ring passes through the orbit of a star, the orbit is strongly perturbed. We find that a star moving in a nearly circular orbit is first attracted towards the caustic ring, then moves with and oscillates about the caustic for approximately $1$ Gyr before returning to its original orbit. As a result, a stellar overdensity forms around the caustic ring. We predict such overdensities to be of order $120\%$ near the 2nd caustic ring where the Monoceros Ring is observed and of order $45$, $30$ and $15\%$ near the 3rd, 4th and 5th caustic rings, respectively. We show that the associated bulk velocities of the stars near the caustic rings are less than a few km/s. We also determine the density profile of interstellar gas near the 5th caustic ring assuming it is in thermal equilibrium in the gravitational potential of the caustic and of the gas itself.