Bar-Driven Star and Star Cluster Formations and Gas Fueling to Galactic Center

Abstract

In order to study gas evolution in the central region of a barred galaxy, we have performed numerical simulations of gas in the potential of the barred galaxy. We have found that the bar potential produces a gas ring within the central 1 kpc region. In the gas ring, active star and star cluster formations take place. Since the gas ring is dense enough to become self-gravitationally unstable, gas clouds form in the ring. These gas clouds interact gravitationally and collide with the other clouds. Such interaction and collision reduces their angular momentums effectively, and finally gas clouds fall into the galactic center. These processes triggers episodic gas fueling to the galactic center.