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A classification of galactic collisions

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Abstract

The effects of collisions between two galaxies on the test galaxy considered are classified as follows — Type A: the changes in the size and mass of the test galaxy are both negligible; Type B: There is significant increase in the size (at least 10%) or decrease in the mass (at least 1%) of the test galaxy or in both; Type C: The test galaxy becomes a component of a double galaxy by tidal capture; Type D: The test galaxy is disrupted by the tidal forces of the field galaxy.

The type of collision is given as a function of the distance and speed at closest approach and also as a function of the initial impact parameter and speed at infinite separation of the two galaxies for two density models of the galaxies. Collisions in which the two galaxies do not penetrate each other are generally of type A while slow interpenetrating collisions are generally of type B. Types C and D occur in head-on or nearly head-on collisions if the relative speed of the two galaxies is sufficiently small; the former is favoured if the two galaxies do not differ appreciably in mass and density distribution. If one of the two galaxies is considerably less massive or less centrally concentrated than the other, it will be disrupted in slow close collisions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Advanced Study in Astronomy, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India

    K. Shankara Sastry & Saleh Mohamed Alladin

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  1. K. Shankara Sastry
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  2. Saleh Mohamed Alladin
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Sastry, K.S., Alladin, S.M. A classification of galactic collisions. Astrophys Space Sci 46, 285–291 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00644375

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00644375

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