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Contributions to the theory of spiral structure. II. The density wave theory and the very hot interstellar gas component

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Abstract

Starting from the argument that the density wave theory of spiral structure is incompatible with the existence of a stationary very hot extended component of the interstellar gas, we develop a cyclic model, in which an interstellar gas of a temperature around 104 K is heated to roughly 106 K by type II supernovae resulting from the enhanced star formation triggered by the density wave, and cools down again to 104 K after the supernova activity subsides to be ready for shock compression in the next sweep of the density wave pattern. The time scales for heating by supernovae and subsequent cooling turn out to be consistent with current density wave theory. The scenario proposed is corroborated by recent results on cosmic ray composition and γ-ray observations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Astronomisches Institut der Universität Bochum, FRG

    M. Reinhardt & Th. Schmidt-Kaler

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  1. M. Reinhardt
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  2. Th. Schmidt-Kaler
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Reinhardt, M., Schmidt-Kaler, T. Contributions to the theory of spiral structure. II. The density wave theory and the very hot interstellar gas component. Astrophys Space Sci 66, 121–131 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00648365

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00648365

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