Research on Disk Galaxies Sheds Light on Movement of Stars
(World News Science)

Photo by Ross Maute Right, the Whirlpool Galaxy is an example of a disk galaxy. Left, Ryan Miller. FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - University of Arkansas astrophysicists have taken an important step toward solving the mystery of how disk galaxies maintain the shape of their spiral arms. Their findings support the theory that these arms are created by a wave of denser matter that creates the spiral pattern as it travels across the galaxy. `The structure of spiral arms in disk galaxies is a mystery,` said Ryan Miller, visiting assistant professor of physics. `No one knows what determines the shape of these spirals, or why they have certain numbers of arms. Our research provides a clear answer to part of...