Numerical study on the evolution of the spin of spiral galaxies

We investigate the evolution of the galactic spin of spiral galaxies in various dynamical situations using the N-body/SPH simulations. To do this we first construct a Milky Way-like galaxy model. Then we perform both prograde and retrograde encounters between the spiral galaxy pair. We also conduct a simulation with our galaxy model in isolation for comparison. We find that the circular motion of the disk stars in the inner region of the galaxy decrease clearly when the galaxy experiences strong prograde interactions. Such decrease has not found when the galaxy experiences weak or no interactions. We compare our simulation results with recent observational studies on the galactic spins.