The Milky Way as modeled by Percolation and Superbubbles

Abstract

The spiral structure of the Milky Way can be simulated by adopting percolation theory, where the active zones are produced by the evolution of many supernova (SN). Here we assume conversely that the percolative process is triggered by superbubbles (SB), the result of multiple SNs. A first thermal model takes into account a bursting phase which evolves in a medium with constant density, and a subsequent adiabatic expansion which evolves in a medium with decreasing density along the galactic height. A second cold model follows the evolution of an SB in an auto-gravitating medium in the framework of the momentum conservation in a thin layer. Both the thermal and cold models are compared with the results of numerical hydro-dynamics. A simulation of GW~46.4+5.5, the Gould Belt, and the Galactic Plane is reported. An elementary theory of the image, which allows reproducing the hole visible at the center of the observed SB, is provided.