Dependence of spiral galaxy structure on central mass concentration

Dependence of spiral galaxy structure on central mass concentration

Researchers developed an algorithm using Galaxy Zoo citizen science data to classify 299 multi-armed and 245 grand design spiral galaxies. They found that for a given stellar mass, grand design galaxies have higher central mass concentrations, smaller half-light radii, earlier Hubble types, and more massive central bulges than multi-armed galaxies. This suggests that a dense central region supports two long spiral arms. Star formation rates were similar for both spiral types when accounting for stellar mass and concentration differences.