Testing for relics of past strong buckling events in edge-on galaxies: simulation predictions and data from S4G

The short-lived buckling instability is responsible for the formation of at least some box/peanut (B/P) shaped bulges, which are observed in most massive, z = 0, barred galaxies. Nevertheless, it has also been suggested that B/P bulges form via the slow trapping of stars on to vertically extended resonant orbits. The key difference between these two scenarios is that when the bar buckles, symmetry about the mid-plane is broken for a period of time. We use a suite of simulations (with and without gas) to show that when the buckling is sufficiently strong, a residual mid-plane asymmetry persists for several Gyrs after the end of the buckling phase, and is visible in simulation images. On the other hand, images of B/P bulges formed through resonant trapping and/or weak buckling remain symmetric about the mid-plane. We develop two related diagnostics to identify and quantify mid-plane asymmetry in simulation images of galaxies that are within 3 degrees of edge-on orientation, allowing us to test whether the presence of a B/P-shaped bulge can be explained by a past buckling event. We apply our diagnostics to two nearly edge-on galaxies with B/P bulges from the Spitzer Survey of Stellar Structure in Galaxies, finding no mid-plane asymmetry, implying these galaxies formed their bulges either by resonant trapping or by buckling more than similar to 5 Gyr ago. We conclude that the formation of B/P bulges through strong buckling may be a rare event in the past similar to 5 Gyr.

Automated summary

The short-lived buckling instability is responsible for the formation of some box/peanut (B/P) shaped bulges in barred galaxies, while other B/P bulges form through resonant trapping of stars. The difference lies in the symmetry breaking during buckling, which creates residual mid-plane asymmetry. Simulations and diagnostic tests on galaxies indicate that B/P bulges formed through strong buckling are rare in the past 5 billion years. Mid-plane asymmetry is not observed in galaxies with B/P bulges, suggesting either resonant trapping or buckling events more than 5 Gyr ago as the formation mechanisms.