Galactic Dynamics in the Solar Neighborhood

About this Research Topic

Background

A large number of publications on Galactic dynamics related to the Solar neighborhood appeared in the last decade, especially after GAIA DR2. However, it seems that no consensus has been reached on basic questions. Are the moving groups explained by resonances due to the rotation of the central bar, or due to the rotation of the spiral arms, or is there another cause such as the impact of an extragalactic object on the disk? Or is there a combination of all these? Should we give much importance to the co-rotation resonance of the spiral arms? If yes, what is, approximately, the co-rotation radius of the Galaxy? Connected to this question, what is the lifetime of the spiral arms and other structures: long-lived or short-lived? Are there connections between the Gould belt, the Local arm, the moving groups, and other structures such as the Radcliffe wave?

There are so many papers and conflicting points of view on most of the topics mentioned above, in a quickly evolving field, that there is no time left for ample debates and updates of models. Therefore, it is important to gather contributions that represent the main ideas at the present time, as an instantaneous picture, to settle a few questions, and help us and especially the newcomers to get a general view of the Solar neighborhood dynamics.

The scope of this Research Topic covers the areas listed below, and extends to subjects that may seem to be distant from the main focus, but contribute to restricting models. For instance, there are different ways to estimate lifetimes or rotation velocities of spiral arms; all of them will contribute to reaching a consensus.
If your results appear to be in conflict with those of other groups, we encourage you to explain shortly, if possible, why this seems to occur, and not to disregard the others. Some taste of debate will contribute to the interest around this Research Topic.

To summarize, we welcome contributions in the following areas:

• Are the moving groups explained by resonances due to the rotation of the central bar, or due to the rotation of the spiral arms, or is there another cause such as the impact of an extragalactic object on the disk? Or, perhaps, it is a combination of these?
• Should we give much importance to the co-rotation resonance of the spiral arms? If yes, what is, approximately, the co-rotation radius of the Galaxy?
• What is the lifetime of the spiral arms and other structures? Is it long-lived or short-lived?
• Are there connections between the Gould belt, the Local arm, the moving groups, and other structures such as the Radcliffe wave?
• Different ways of estimating lifetimes or rotation velocities of spiral arms.

Keywords: Galactic Dynamics, Solar Neighborhood, Spiral arms, Moving Groups, Resonances

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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