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Percolation and galaxies.

L S Schulman, P E Seiden

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |July 25, 1986
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    This study proposes that spiral galaxy structure emerges from a percolation phase transition driving star formation. This theory explains spiral arms and galaxy features through phase transition properties, differing from traditional dynamical models.

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    Area of Science:

    • Astrophysics
    • Cosmology
    • Theoretical Physics

    Background:

    • Spiral galaxies exhibit complex structures, including prominent spiral arms and specific distributions of gas and luminosity.
    • Traditional models often explain these features through detailed dynamical simulations.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To present a novel theoretical framework for understanding spiral galaxy structure.
    • To propose that phase transitions, specifically percolation, are fundamental to galaxy morphology.
    • To offer an alternative to traditional dynamical explanations for galactic features.

    Main Methods:

    • Theoretical modeling based on percolation phase transitions.
    • Analysis of star formation as a phenomenon linked to critical points in phase transitions.

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  • Connecting galactic rotation and feedback mechanisms to phase transition dynamics.

    • Main Results:

    • Spiral arm formation is explained as a consequence of differential rotation and diverging correlation lengths in phase transitions.
    • The distribution of gaseous components and luminosity are linked to feedback mechanisms stabilizing star formation near critical points.
    • Galactic morphology and features are proposed to be predetermined by general phase transition properties.

    Conclusions:

    • The percolation phase transition offers a unifying explanation for key spiral galaxy structures.
    • This phase transition approach provides a new perspective, potentially simplifying explanations compared to complex dynamical models.
    • The theory suggests that fundamental properties of phase transitions play a crucial role in shaping galaxies.