A Study of the Local Group by Use of the Virial Theorem (original) (raw)
ADS
Abstract
Physical conditions in the intergalactic space in the Local Group have been derived by the use of the virial theorem with the assumption of the equipartition of energy. The temperature has been estimated as ~ 6 × 104°K, the density of the intergalactic ionized hydrogen ~ 7 × 10─29 g/cm3, the mean velocity of the turbulent motion of the gas ~ 4 × 106 cm/sec, the intensity of the magnetic field ~ 10─7 gauss, and the energy density of cosmic rays ~ 3 × 10─4 eV/cm3. These values agree with those evaluated so far separately by other methods. This result not only confirms the values obtained up to now, but suggests also the validity of the model which takes into account both the intergalactic turbulent ionized gas and equipartition among five modes of energy; the kinetic energy of the member galaxies, the kinetic energy of the intergalactic gas, the thermal energy of the intergalactic gas, the magnetic energy, and the cosmic ray energy.
Publication:
Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan
Pub Date:
September 1968
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