Transformations of Galaxies. II. Gasdynamics in Merging Disk Galaxies: Addendum

In mergers of disk galaxies, gas plays a role quite out of proportion to its relatively modest contribution to the total mass. To study this behavior, we have included gasdynamics in self-consistent simulations of collisions between equal-mass disk galaxies. Computer animations of these simulations illustrate several key results of our investigation. In particular, they show how gas is funneled inward during strong tidal interactions and how massive central gas clouds form during mergers. Our results are more fully discussed in the associated paper by Barnes & Hernquist.