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A tidal tail is a thin, elongated region of stars and interstellar gas that extends into space from a galaxy. Tidal tails occur as a result of galactic tide forces between interacting galaxies. Examples of galaxies with tidal tails include the Tadpole Galaxy and the Mice Galaxies. Tidal forces can eject a significant amount of a galaxy's gas into the tail; within the Antennae Galaxies, for example, nearly half of the observed gaseous matter is found within the tail structures.[1] Within those galaxies which have tidal tails, approximately 10% of the galaxy's stellar formation takes place in the tail.[2] Overall, roughly 1% of all stellar formation in the known universe occurs within tidal tails.[3]
Some interacting galaxy pairs have two distinct tails, as is the case for the Antennae Galaxies, while other systems have only one tail. Most tidal tails are slightly curved due to the rotation of the host galaxies. Those that are straight may actually be curved but still appear to be straight if they are being viewed edge-on.
- ^ Mihos, Christopher J.; et al. (1993). "Modeling the Spatial Distribution of Star Formation in Interacting Disk Galaxies". Astrophysical Journal. 418: 82–99. Bibcode:1993ApJ...418...82M. doi:10.1086/173373.
- ^ Jarrett, T. H.; et al. (2006). "Remarkable Disk and Off-Nuclear Starburst Activity in the Tadpole Galaxy as revealed by the Spitzer Space Telescope". Astronomical Journal. 131 (1): 261–281. arXiv:astro-ph/0510788. Bibcode:2006AJ....131..261J. doi:10.1086/498414.
- ^ Naeye, Robert (18 December 2007). "'Shot in the Dark' Star Explosion Stuns Astronomers". NASA Goddard Flight Center. Retrieved 18 June 2010.