High velocity clouds: a model to explain their spatial distribution

Abstract

We analyzed the asymmetries in the distribution of High Velocity Clouds. Some of the asymmetries may be explained with the supposition that they are distributed on a sphere and that they are falling to its center with a velocity Vᵢ which can be measured by an observer at the center of the sphere and moving with a velocity Vₚ in the direction lₚ,bₚ. Adjusting the observational parameters we derive: Vᵢ= -75 km/sec; Vₚ= 385 ± 5 km/sec, lₚ=110°±5° and bₚ=10°±5°. The conclusion is that a sample of High Velocity Clouds can be interpreted as gas clouds falling to the center of the local group of galaxies.