Interpretation of the apparent north-south asymmetry and fluctuations of galactic rotation

A model of the apparent north-south asymmetry of the rotation curve of the Galaxy and of the asymmetry appearing for the rotation of its outskirts has been presented, in terms of interaction redshifts. Fluctuations in the rotation curve for neutral hydrogen are discussed and interpreted as expanding motions in the arms. The expansion of the disk of the Galaxy which has been suggested previously as an explanation for the asymmetry has been shown to meet some serious difficulties. A remarkable north-south symmetry both in the spatial distribution and in the kinematics of neutral hydrogen in the subsolar region follows from the present model. (Auth.)