Lee J Summers, BSc(Hons) MSc(R) FRAS

Milky Way Spiral Structure - The Velocity Field

The figure to the right is the modelled Milky Way velocity field for the Shocked-Motion-Model of Galactic structure. The spatial fits to the spiral potentials (Perseus, Outer and outer-Scutum-Centarus arms). Inside spiral arms the Shocked-Motion-Model is used to define the kinematic structure of the arms, exterior to the arm a flat rotation curve is assumed.

The arm widths are defined as the dispersion about the arm-centre of the spatial fit. Refer to Summers and Brunt (submitted, MNRAS) and Summers and Brunt (in prep) to the arm and constraint definitons.

For repoduction please contact lsummers[@]astro.ex.ac.uk

Last update November 2011