---
abstract: 'We present a method to include the effects of gravity in the plasma physics code [Cloudy]{}. More precisely, a term is added to the desired gas pressure in order to enforce hydrostatic equilibrium, accounting for both the self-gravity of the gas and the presence of an optional external potential. As a test case, a plane-parallel model of the vertical structure of the Milky Way disk near the solar neighbourhood is considered. It is shown that the gravitational force determines the scale height of the disk, and it plays a critical role in setting its overall chemical composition. However, other variables, such as the [[shape of incident continuum and the intensity of the]{}]{} Galactic magnetic field, strongly affect the [[predicted]{}]{} structure.'
author:
- |
    Y. Ascasibar[^1] and A. I. Díaz\
    Departamento de Física Teórica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
bibliography:
- 'references.bib'
date: 'Draft version 2.0 ()'
title: 'Photoionized gas in hydrostatic equilibrium: the role of gravity'
---

ISM:structure – methods:numerical – [[gravitation – radiative transfer]{}]{}

Introduction {#secIntro}
============

Many astrophysical objects, from the scale of individual stars to the hot plasma of the intracluster medium, can be approximately described as being in hydrostatic equilibrium with the 