Following the tidal trail: a history of modeling the Magellanic Stream

Abstract

The formation of the Magellanic Stream has puzzled astronomers for decades. In this review, we outline the history of our understanding of the Magellanic System highlighting key observations that have revolutionized thinking of its evolution. We also walk through the major models and theoretical advances that have led to our current paradigm − (1) the LMC and SMC have just had their first pericentric passage around the Milky Way, having approached recently as a bound pair; (2) the LMC and SMC have had several tidal interactions in which material has been stripped out into the Trailing Stream and Leading Arm; (3) the LMC hosted an ionized gas circumgalactic medium which envelops the Clouds and the neutral Stream today, providing the bulk of the associated mass; and (4) the Milky Way’s circumgalactic gas provides strong ram pressure and hydrodynamic forces to shape the morphology of the Magellanic System including the formation of a bow shock due to the LMC’s supersonic approach.