The Effects of Ram Pressure on Dwarf Galaxies

Using numerical simulations, we study the effects of ram pressure stripping on dwarf galaxies. It is commonly assumed that ram pressure only affects the gas component of a galaxy. We find that it actually can affect the dynamics of the stars too, and even the dark matter surrounding the disk - an effect dubbed 'ram pressure drag'. We study the effects of ram pressure drag on tidal dwarf galaxies, and find the response is very strong. Tidal dwarfs may be entirely destroyed by gas removal, and their stellar dynamics may appear heavily dark matter dominated where no dark matter exists. We discuss the consequences for tidal dwarf evolution, tidal streams, and disk galaxy evolution in general.