Models of Cuspy Triaxial Galaxies
Author
Holley-Bockelmann, Kelly
Mihos, J. Christopher
Sigurdsson, Steinn
Hernquist, Lars
Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1086/319453Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Holley‐Bockelmann, Kelly, J. Christopher Mihos, Steinn Sigurdsson, and Lars Hernquist. 2001. “Models of Cuspy Triaxial Galaxies.” The Astrophysical Journal 549 (2): 862–70. https://doi.org/10.1086/319453.Abstract
We construct numerical models of mildly triaxial elliptical galaxies with central density cusps. Using a technique we call "adiabatic squeezing," we begin with a spherical gamma = 1 Hernquist model and apply a drag to the velocities of the particles along each principal axis. The final models are stable in isolation, preserving their density structure and figure shape over many dynamical timescales. The density profile and axial ratios compare well to the observed properties of elliptical galaxies. The orbital structure of these models show a mixture of tubes, boxes, and boxlets, as expected for triaxial systems, with very few chaotic orbits. These N-body realizations of cuspy triaxial galaxies provide a basis for the study of dynamical evolution of elliptical galaxies.Terms of Use
This article is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of-use#LAACitable link to this page
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:41381853
Collections
- FAS Scholarly Articles [17845]
Contact administrator regarding this item (to report mistakes or request changes)