Numerical Simulation of Asymmetric Spiral Structure in the Large Magellanic Cloud

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Abstract
We have constructed a dynamical model of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), based on the new propagating star formation scheme of Gardiner, Turfus, & Wang, in order to examine the effects of an off-center perturbation on the global distribution of the gas and star formation activity. The simulation generates an asymmetric spiral structure that appears to be consistent with the pattern of large-scale star formation activity and recent observations of the neutral gas distribution. We suggest that the presence of a dual asymmetry in the offset bar and spiral structure is a major factor governing the global structure, dynamics, and evolution of the LMC.