Triaxial equilibrium models for elliptical galaxies with slow figure rotation

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (157) References (13) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Triaxial equilibrium models for elliptical galaxies with slow figure rotation Schwarzschild, M. Abstract An earlier numerical construction of a triaxial model for a stellar system in dynamical equilibrium has been extended, first by adding a slow figure rotation, and second by adding rotational streaming on Z-tube orbits. The figure rotation was kept low so that the main resonances, including the outer edge of Binney's instability strip, fall outside the model. This figure rotation induces weak rotational streaming, prograde on box orbits and retrograde on X-tube orbits. The resulting net streaming has a very low velocity (although substantially higher than the figure rotation by itself) and a complicated pattern, prograde in the inner portion and retrograde in the outer portion. The addition of prograde Z-tube orbits, circling around the short (Z) rotation axis, introduces strong rotational streaming on these orbits. The net effect of this streaming is, however, substantially diluted by the box orbits, which are needed for the support of the triaxial figure. The maximum net rotational streaming velocity thus permitted for the figure here used (1:1.25:2) appears sufficient to model the observed rotation of most giant ellipticals. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: December 1982 DOI: 10.1086/160531 Bibcode: 1982ApJ...263..599S Keywords: Astronomical Models; Elliptical Galaxies; Galactic Rotation; Orbit Calculation; Stellar Motions; Angular Velocity; Dynamic Characteristics; Mathematical Models; Velocity Distribution; Astrophysics full text sources ADS |