Local Pitch Angles of Galactic Structures in Nearby Galaxies with JWST: I. Spiral Arms and Interarm Substructures in Disk-Dominated Systems
Authors: Stella Faria-Costa, Irapuan Rodrigues, Ivânio Puerari
Abstract
We present a spatially resolved study of spiral arms and feather substructures in seven nearby galaxies observed with JWST. Using eight images per galaxy, from four NIRCam and four MIRI filters, we combine a two-dimensional Fourier transform (2D-FT) with a circular-window correlation method to measure both global and local pitch angles. The 2D-FT identifies the dominant azimuthal mode and the corresponding $p_{\rm max}$, allowing us to reconstruct the spiral pattern and define arm and interarm masks. We then apply cosine filters with different pitch angles and window sizes in the $(\ln (R),θ)$ plane to map the pitch-angle distribution across multiple spatial scales. NIRCam images provide the most robust measurements of the main spiral pattern, whereas MIRI data reveal dusty interarm features, particularly feathers, with greater contrast at the smallest window size ($D_w=0.25$). Across the sample, the main arms typically have $|α|\simeq15^\circ$--$30^\circ$, while feathers show systematically larger values, often above $50^\circ$. These results demonstrate that pitch angle is scale dependent and that different structural components within the same galaxy can occupy distinct angular regimes. NIRCam and MIRI therefore offer complementary views of spiral structure, with the former tracing the large-scale stellar backbone and the latter exposing finer dust substructures. Together with the companion study of barred galaxies, this work provides a common framework for using local pitch angles to investigate distinct dynamical environments in nearby galaxies.
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Abstract
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In short
JWST reveals near-infrared brightness reversal and bright disk-edge linings in the Flying Saucer, consistent with inner-disk misalignment, forward scattering, and substantial dust growth.
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Abstract
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Abstract
We present a comprehensive search and analysis of high-redshift galaxies in a suite of nine public JWST extragalactic fields taken in Cycle 1, covering a total effective search area of $\sim358{\rm arcmin^2}$. Through conservative ($8\sigma$) photometric selection, we identify 339 galaxies at $5<z<14$, with 109 having spectroscopic redshift measurements from the literature, including recent JWST NIRSpec observations. Our regression analysis reveals that the rest-frame UV size-stellar mass relation follows $R_{\rm eff}\propto M_*^{0.20\pm0.03}$, similar to that of star-forming galaxies at $z\sim3$, but scaled down in size by $\sim0.7$dex. We find a much slower rate for the average size evolut…
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Abstract
We present near- and mid-infrared (IR) broadband imaging observations of the edge-on protoplanetary disk around HH 30 with the James Webb Space Telescope/Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). We combine these observations with archival optical/near-IR scattered light images obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and a millimeter-wavelength dust continuum image obtained with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) with the highest spatial resolution ever obtained for this target. Our multiwavelength images clearly reveal the vertical and radial segregation of micron-sized and sub-mm-sized grains in the disk. In the near- and mid-IR, the …
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Abstract
Spiral arms are observed in numerous protoplanetary discs. These spiral arms can be excited by companions, either on bound or unbound orbits. We simulate a scenario where an unbound perturber, i.e. a flyby, excites spiral arms during a periastron passage. We run three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations of a parabolic flyby encountering a gaseous protoplanetary disc. The perturber mass ranges from $10\, \rm M_J$ to $1\, \rm M_{\odot}$. The perturber excites a two-armed spiral structure, with a more prominent spiral feature for higher mass perturbers. The two arms evolve over time, eventually winding up, consistent with previous works. We focus on analysing the pattern speed and pitch angl…
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Abstract
The Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science (CEERS) program observed the Extended Groth Strip with the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) in 2022. In this paper, we discuss the four MIRI pointings that observed with longer wavelength filters, including F770W, F1000W, F1280W, F1500W, F1800W, and F2100W. We compare the MIRI galaxies with the Spitzer/MIPS 24$\mu$m population in the EGS field. We find that MIRI can observe an order of magnitude deeper than MIPS in significantly shorter integration times, attributable to JWST's much larger aperture and MIRI's improved sensitivity. MIRI is exceptionally good at finding faint ($L_{\rm IR}<10^{10} L_\odot$) galaxi…
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Abstract
Context: With the data releases from the astrometric space mission Gaia, the exploration of the structure of the Milky Way has developed in unprecedented detail and unveiled many previously unknown structures in the Galactic disc and halo. One such feature is the phase spiral where the stars in the Galactic disc form a spiral density pattern in the $Z-V_Z$ plane. Aims: We aim to characterize the shape, rotation, amplitude, and metallicity of the phase spiral in the outer disc of the Milky Way. This will allow us to better understand which physical processes caused the phase spiral and can give further clues to the Milky Way's past and the events that contributed to its current state. Methods…
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