Irregular galaxy

Star formation caused by density waves[edit]

The following hypotheses exist for star formation caused by density waves:

 As gas clouds move into the density wave, the local mass density increases. Since the criteria
for cloud collapse (the Jeans instability) depends on density, a higher density makes it more
likely for clouds to collapse and form stars.
 As the compression wave goes through, it triggers star formation on the leading edge of the
spiral arms.
 As clouds get swept up by the spiral arms, they collide with one another and drive shock
waves through the gas, which in turn causes the gas to collapse and form stars.

The bright galaxy NGC 3810demonstrates classical spiral structure in this very detailed image from Hubble.
Credit: ESA/Hubble and NASA.

More young stars in spiral arms[edit]

The arms appear brighter because there are more young stars (hence more massive, bright stars).
These massive, bright stars also die out quickly, which would leave just the darker background
stellar distribution behind the waves, hence making the waves visible.
While stars, therefore, do not remain forever in the position that we now see them in, they also do
not follow the arms. The arms simply appear to pass through the stars as the stars travel in their
orbits.
Star formation caused by density waves[edit]
The following hypotheses exist for star formation caused by density waves:

 As gas clouds move into the density wave, the local mass density increases. Since the criteria
for cloud collapse (the Jeans instability) depends on density, a higher density makes it more
likely for clouds to collapse and form stars.
 As the compression wave goes through, it triggers star formation on the leading edge of the
spiral arms.
 As clouds get swept up by the spiral arms, they collide with one another and drive shock
waves through the gas, which in turn causes the gas to collapse and form stars.

The bright galaxy NGC 3810demonstrates classical spiral structure in this very detailed image from Hubble.
Credit: ESA/Hubble and NASA.
More young stars in spiral arms[edit]
The arms appear brighter because there are more young stars (hence more massive, bright stars).
These massive, bright stars also die out quickly, which would leave just the darker background
stellar distribution behind the waves, hence making the waves visible.
While stars, therefore, do not remain forever in the position that we now see them in, they also do
not follow the arms. The arms simply appear to pass through the stars as the stars travel in their
orbits.