Tidal Tails of Interacting Galaxies
  This paper has been withdrawn by the author. A computer simulation of two
galaxies, passing in parabolic orbits, was made to show their interaction and
the tidal patterns formed. The galaxies were modelled as a point masses
surrounded by 5 densely packed, concentric rings of test masses in circular
motion, which represented the outer disk of the galaxy. Several features were
noticeable in the simulations, including: a bridge forming between the two
galaxies during the interaction, mass being lost to the perturbing galaxy and
universe, and an arching counterarm emanating away from the bridge. The results
suggest the process was primarily kinematic. Quantitative analysis was made on
the counterarm length dependence on galaxy separation and mass ratio. In both
cases linear relationships were found with arm length increasing for smaller
separations and for larger perturbing masses. The effects were greatly reduced
in a retrograde interaction. The images were compared to astrophysical
observations and qualitative features matched.
