Dynamical Monte Carlo Simulations of 3-D Galactic Systems in Axisymmetric and Triaxial Potentials

Abstract

AbstractWe describe the dynamical behavior of isolated old ( ⩾ 1Gyr) objects-like Neutron Stars (NSs). These objects are evolved under smooth, time-independent, gravitational potentials, axisymmetric and with a triaxial dark halo. We analysed the geometry of the dynamics and applied the Poincaré section for comparing the influence of different birth velocities. The inspection of the maximal asymptotic Lyapunov (λ) exponent shows that dynamical behaviors of the selected orbits are nearly the same as the regular orbits with 2-DOF, both in axisymmetric and triaxial when (ϕ, qz)= (0,0). Conversely, a few chaotic trajectories are found with a rotated triaxial halo when (ϕ, qz)= (90, 1.5). The tube orbits preserve direction of their circulation around either the long or short axis as appeared in the triaxial potential, even when every initial condition leads to different orientations. The Poincaré section shows that there are 2-D invariant tori and invariant curves (islands) around stable periodic orbits that bound to the surface of 3-D tori. The regularity of several prototypical orbits offer the means to identify the phase-space regions with localized motions and to determine their environment in different models, because they can occupy significant parts of phase-space depending on the potential. This is of particular importance in Galactic Dynamics.