High-velocity clouds: a diverse phenomenon

B. P. Wakker

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arXiv · astro-ph/0109210

High-velocity clouds: a diverse phenomenon

B. P. Wakker

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Abstract

In this contribution the current state of knowledge about the high-velocity clouds (HVCs) is summarized. Recent progress has shown that the HVCs are a diverse phenomenon. The intermediate-velocity clouds (IVCs) are likely to be part of a Galactic Fountain. The Magellanic Stream is a tidal remnant. HVC complex C (possibly complexes A and GCN) are low-metallicity clouds near the Galaxy; they could be remnants of the formation of the Galaxy or old tidal streams extracted from nearby dwarf galaxies. Having a substantial number of HI HVCs dispersed throughout the Local Group seems incompatible with the observed HI mass function of galaxies. Finally, FUSE finds high-velocity OVI, some of which is clearly associated with HI HVCs, but some which is not.

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B. P. Wakker. 2001-09-13. High-velocity clouds: a diverse phenomenon. https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0109210

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