title: Nonlinear density wave theory for the spiral structure of galaxies.
abstract: The theory of nonlinear waves for plasmas has been applied to the analysis of the density wave theory of galaxies which are many-body systems of gravity. A nonlinear Schrödinger equation has been derived by applying the reductive perturbation method on the fluid equations that describe the behavior of infinitesimally thin disk galaxies. Their spiral arms are characterized by a soliton and explained as a pattern of a propagating nonlinear density wave.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kondoh
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Teramoto
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yoshida
mesh_terms: D055580:Astronomical Phenomena; D001256:Astronomy; D006112:Gravitation; D008962:Models, Theoretical