Collision of Galaxies (Toomre simulation)
Joachim Köppen Kiel Feb. 2022




Galaxy One
number of particles
mass [1011 Msun]
radial scale [kpc]
rotation sense
inclination, axis PA [°]
initial X,Y,Z [kpc]
VXY,PA;VZ [km/s]

Galaxy Two
number of particles
mass [1011 Msun]
radial scale [kpc]
rotation sense
inclination, axis PA [°]
initial X,Y,Z [kpc]
VXY,PA;VZ [km/s]

comp.time step [Myr]
plot time step [Gyr]
time now [Gyr]






violet ... red:


Make the data cube (XP-YP-VP) by rotating the objects via:
tilt X
tilt Y
tilt Z
tilt X2


View (XPP-YPP) of the data cube after tilting it around its axes:
ZP
YP
XP

Some brief explanations

  • This computes the evolution of representative stars in the disk of two spiral galaxies which collide with each other.
  • X,Y,Z, VX,VY,VZ are the positions and velocities in true space.
  • XP,ZP,VP are the coordinates in the data cube, produced by projection via inclination and p.a.rotation angles.
  • XPP,YPP are coordinates in a 2-D view of the data cube, as defined by the tilt angles about YPP and ZPP axes. The ZPP axis is normal to the image plane.
  • start a new model: after entering the various model parameters press the start button.
  • run a model: click the button with the right arrow to make one time step. Keep pressing this button to continuously step forward.
  • run a model backwards: click the button with the left arrow. This will work allright, except for stars of one galaxy crossing the centre of the other. In the interest of a fast display, trajectories of these stars are not followed accurately, thus they are only kicked out at high speed...


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