Simulation of Whirlpool Galaxy and its Companion

Volume 12 , Issue 1 , January 2009 , Pages 125-135

Authors

¹ College of Science, University of Sulaimani

In the present work the Whirlpool galaxy and its companion are simulated using Intergalactic

Gravitational Motion Simulator IGMS code. N-body method is depended in simulating 480 particles.

From the simulation, it was found that the spiral shape and the arm of the whirlpool galaxy were constructed

by interaction with its companion. In addition, the interaction caused the tidal bridge between the two

galaxies and distorted the shape of the whirlpool galaxy to a perfect spiral galaxy. It was also found that the

two galaxies started the interaction in the nearer position for hundreds million years and after that the two

galaxies separate from each other.The results indicated that the simulation image matches with that observed

by telescopes.

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