We present the results of a new and high sensitivity study of the neutral hydrogen (HI) gas in three early type edge-on spiral galaxies, NGC 4157, NGC 3600 and NGC 2683. All three galaxies reveal HI disks that extend nearly or more than twice the length of the optical disk, which ubiquitously reveal asymmetries and warps. We model each galaxy using a three-dimensional kinematic model to derive the empirical parameters of the density distribution functions and rotation curves. A Gaussian function is unanimously found to best represent the density distribution in the plane of the galaxies. We also find that there is in fact a thick HI disk extending into the halo of two of three of these galaxies with scale heights on kpc. scales. This gas suggests the existence of two separate widespread components: a thin, high intensity disk component, normally rotating, and a vast, low intensity halo component, rotating at slower velocities with respect to the disk. This vertical velocity gradient is perhaps our most significant finding in addition to the discovery of the two new HI halos. We also find an unevenly distributed small-scale component of the gas in the form of shell-like and filamentary structures that extend from the disk into the halo. In all three systems we find unique kinematic and structural peculiarities including an HI disk extending four times the optical disk, a declining rotation curve, a companion, expanding bubbles, disk warps, etc. Several physical parameters are derived such as neutral hydrogen and dynamic masses, systemic velocities, HI radii, HI halo masses, etc. All of our findings are investigated and discussed in depth for each of the three galaxies. / Thesis (Master, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-03 19:47:31.786
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:OKQ.1974/5134 |
| Date | 04 September 2009 |
| Creators | Kennedy, HEATHER |
| Contributors | Queen's University (Kingston, Ont.). Theses (Queen's University (Kingston, Ont.)) |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 21166900 bytes, application/pdf |
| Rights | This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner. |
| Relation | Canadian theses |
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