Abstract
Distances and velocities of main-sequence A, F, G, and K stars are collected from the second data release of ESA's Gaia astrometric mission. This material is analysed to find evidence of radial and azimuthal systematic non-circular motions of stars in the solar neighbourhood on the assumption that the system is subject to spiral density waves (those produced by a spontaneous disturbance, a central bar, or an external companion), developing in the Galactic disc. Data analysis of line-of-sight velocities of stars selected within 2 kpc from the Sun and 500 pc from the Galactic mid-plane with distance accuracies of <10 per cent makes evident that a radial wavelength of the wave pattern is 1.1-1.6 kpc and a phase of the wave at the Sun's location in the Galaxy is 55°-95°. Respectively, the Sun is situated at the inner edge of the nearest Orion spiral arm segment. Thus, the local Orion arm is a part of a predominant density-wave structure of the system. The spiral structure of the Galaxy has an oscillating nature corresponding to a concept of the Lin-Shu-type moderately growing in amplitude, tightly wound, and rigidly rotating density waves.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2111-2126 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |
| Volume | 493 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Apr 2020 |
Keywords
- Galaxy: kinematics and dynamics
- Galaxy: structure
- galaxies: spiral
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science
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