Abstract
An iterative method for reconstructing mass distribution in spiral galaxies using a thin disk approximation is developed. As an example, the method is applied to galaxy NGC 4736; its rotation curve does not allow one to employ a model with a massive spherical halo. We find a global mass distribution in this galaxy (without nonbaryonic dark matter) that agrees perfectly with the high-resolution rotation curve of the galaxy. This mass distribution is consistent with the I-band luminosity profile with the mean mass-to-light ratio M/LI = 1.2, and it also agrees with the amount of hydrogen observed in the outermost regions of the galaxy. We predict the total mass of the galaxy to be only 3.43 × 1010 M☉. It is very close to the value predicted by the modified gravity models and much less than the currently accepted value of 5.0 × 1010 M☉ (with ≈70% of the mass in a dark matter halo).
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