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Structure of magnetic fields in spiral galaxies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 November 2008

Hanna Kotarba ,
H. Lesch ,
K. Dolag ,
T. Naab ,
P. H. Johansson  and
F. A. Stasyszyn
Hanna Kotarba
Affiliation:
University Observatory Munich, Scheinerstr. 1, D-81679 Munich, Germany email: kotarba@usm.lmu.de MPI for Extraterrestrial Physics, Giessenbachstrasse, D-85748 Garching, Germany
H. Lesch
Affiliation:
University Observatory Munich, Scheinerstr. 1, D-81679 Munich, Germany email: kotarba@usm.lmu.de
K. Dolag
Affiliation:
MPI for Astrophysics, Karl-Schwarzschild-Str. 1, D-85741 Garching, Germany
T. Naab
Affiliation:
University Observatory Munich, Scheinerstr. 1, D-81679 Munich, Germany email: kotarba@usm.lmu.de
P. H. Johansson
Affiliation:
University Observatory Munich, Scheinerstr. 1, D-81679 Munich, Germany email: kotarba@usm.lmu.de
F. A. Stasyszyn
Affiliation:
MPI for Astrophysics, Karl-Schwarzschild-Str. 1, D-85741 Garching, Germany
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Abstract

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We present a set of global, self-consistent N-body/SPH simulations of the dynamic evolution of galactic discs with gas and including magnetic fields. We have implemented a description to follow the ideal induction equation in the SPH part of the code Vine. Results from a direct implementation of the field equations are compared to a representation by Euler potentials, which pose a ∇ ċ B-free description, a constraint not fulfilled for the direct implementation. All simulations are compared to an implementation of magnetic fields in the code Gadget. Starting with a homogeneous field we find a tight connection of the magnetic field structure to the density pattern of the galaxy in our simulations, with the magnetic field lines being aligned with the developing spiral pattern of the gas. Our simulations clearly show the importance of non-axisymmetry of the dynamic pattern for the evolution of the magnetic field.

Keywords

Methods: n-body simulations – magnetic fields – galaxies: evolution – galaxies: spiral
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 4 , Symposium S259: Cosmic Magnetic Fields: From Planets, to Stars and Galaxies , November 2008 , pp. 551 - 552
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2009

References

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