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The Nature of Boxy/Peanut Spiral Galaxies: Overview and New Results

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 May 2016

M. Bureau  and
K. C. Freeman
M. Bureau
Affiliation:
Mount Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatories, Institute of Advanced Studies, Australian National University, Private Bag, Weston Creek PO, ACT 2611, Australiamartin@mso.anu.edu.au
K. C. Freeman
Affiliation:
Mount Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatories, Institute of Advanced Studies, Australian National University, Private Bag, Weston Creek PO, ACT 2611, Australiamartin@mso.anu.edu.au
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Abstract

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The formation mechanism of boxy/peanut-shaped bulges in spiral galaxies has been a problem for many years. We briefly review here the possible formation scenarios for boxy/peanut bulges, concentrating on both the bar-buckling and accretion hypotheses, and then describe an observational program aimed at testing those various theories and studying the vertical structure of edge-on bars. Our program includes optical long-slit spectroscopy, Hi line-imaging, near-infrared imaging, and multi-band optical imaging. New spectroscopic results (both optical and Hi) are presented on seven galaxies, including five boxy/peanut-bulge spirals. Based on Kuijken & Merrifield's (1995) idea for detecting edge-on bars, we argue that these observations constitute a strong case in favour of the bar-buckling mechanism for the formation of boxy/peanut-shaped bulges, but they also raise many questions and prompt for more detailed modelling to be made. The implications of the observations concerning the determination of rotation curves and of the physical conditions in bulges are also discussed.

Keywords

galaxies: formationgalaxies: evolutiongalaxies: kinematics and dynamicsgalaxies: structuregalaxies: spiralinstabilities
Type
Research Article
Information
Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia , Volume 14 , Issue 2 , 1997 , pp. 146 - 158
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of Australia 1997

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