Results of numerical modeling of the evolution of an ensemble of giant molecular clouds in a spiral galaxy are presented. These results are used to demonstrate limitations of the formalism based on the Smoluchowski equation, which is commonly employed in various problems of aggregation. The mass spectra of the clouds obtained from direct modeling are flatter than the spectrum corresponding to the solution of the Smoluchowski equation. The reasons for this difference in the spectra are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)697-702
Number of pages6
JournalAstronomy Letters
Volume22
Issue number5
StatePublished - 1 Sep 1996

    Scopus subject areas

  • Space and Planetary Science
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics

ID: 35162682