Disk tilts in Milky Way-like galaxies and their link to mergers
The study investigated disk reorientation in 93 Milky Way-like galaxies from TNG50 simulations by linking them to mergers. It found that 64 galaxies have a net disc tilt exceeding 30 degrees over nine billion years, driven primarily by minor mergers. These smooth evolution events (Type SE) can last for extended periods, allowing the cold stellar disk to maintain stability and continue growing despite the reorientation.