The Formation and Evolution of Bars, and Its Impact on Galaxy Dynamics

Abstract

In this thesis we have studied bar formation and evolution using N-body simulations. We have focused on the effect of bulge mass and concentration on bar formation and evolution, and derived a new bar formation criterion. We also tested the criterion with observations collected from literature. We then investigated the effect of bulge mass on bar pattern speed since observations do not give a clear idea of the nature and origin of slow and fast of bars in galaxies. Bars also a potential candidate for changing the dark matter profile in the central regions of galaxies as they transports angular momentum from disk to the dark halo. We have also studied this effect using N-body simulations