Shell galaxies and alternatives to the dark matter hypothesis

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (40) References (11) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Shell Galaxies and Alternatives to the Dark Matter Hypothesis Hernquist, Lars ; Quinn, P. J. Abstract The shell system surrounding the giant elliptical galaxy NGC 3923 provides a unique astrophysical laboratory for investigating the nature of the gravitational field on length scales up to about 100/h kpc; h = Hubble constant/100 km per sec per Mpc. Shells formed through the process of phase wrapping are essentially a test particle phenomenon, and their radial distribution is insensitive to the assumed initial conditions for the interaction responsible for the shells. The shell method is used to study the modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND) introduced by Milgrom (1983, 1984) as an alternative to the existence of dark matter in galaxies. The results disagree with both the observed number and radial distribution of shells around NGC 3923. This conclusion is independent of theoretical uncertainties in the theory of phase wrapping and the assumed transitional behavior from Newtonian to MOND regimes. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: January 1987 DOI: 10.1086/164845 Bibcode: 1987ApJ...312...17H Keywords: Dark Matter; Elliptical Galaxies; Galactic Structure; Halos; Astronomical Models; Gravitational Effects; Mass Distribution; Radial Distribution; Astrophysics; GALAXIES: INDIVIDUAL NGC NUMBER: NGC 3923; GALAXIES: INTERNAL MOTIONS; GALAXIES: STRUCTURE; INTERSTELLAR: MATTER; STARS: STELLAR DYNAMICS full text sources ADS | data products NED (3) SIMBAD (1)