A photometric and dynamical study of the Helix galaxy NGC 2685

Details A photometric and dynamical study of the Helix galaxy NGC 2685 A photometric and dynamical study of the Helix galaxy NGC 2685

Apr 1993

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1993aj....105.1378p&link_type=abstract

Astronomical Journal (ISSN 0004-6256), vol. 105, no. 4, p. 1378-1391.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

21

Astronomical Photometry, Elliptical Galaxies, Galactic Nuclei, Galactic Structure, Gas Dynamics, Ring Structures, Astronomical Models, Gravitational Effects, Near Infrared Radiation, Oblate Spheroids, Prolate Spheroids

Scientific paper

We present optical and NIR surface photometry of the Helix galaxy NGC 2685 and its two rings. We detected the inner ('polar') ring in the NIR J-band, and found that its colors are consistent with a normal initial mass function and an age of at most 5-6 Gyr. The inner ring is almost as red as the central galaxy, suggesting that it is a long-lived structure. We have constructed gas-dynamical models of the inner self-gravitating ring in a variety of potentials and searched for long-lived models of both rings; they indicate that the overall potential is either generally oblate-like triaxial or prolate-like triaxial in shape. Based on an analysis of the physical mechanism which can produce such a two-ring structure, the prolate-like triaxial model is the best current model, predicting that both rings achieve very long-lived states within only about 20 inner-ring rotation periods after the accretion of gas into the galaxy's potential. This is in good agreement with the determined upper limit for the age of the inner ring.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

A photometric and dynamical study of the Helix galaxy NGC 2685 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with A photometric and dynamical study of the Helix galaxy NGC 2685, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A photometric and dynamical study of the Helix galaxy NGC 2685 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1369107