Satellite decay in flattened dark matter haloes

Details Satellite decay in flattened dark matter haloes Satellite decay in flattened dark matter haloes

2002-02-13

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0202250v1

Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc. 333 (2002) 779

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

13 pages, 9 figures. Accepted by MNRAS

Scientific paper

10.1046/j.1365-8711.2002.05414.x

We carry out a set of self-consistent N-body calculations to compare the decay rates of satellite dwarf galaxies orbiting a disc galaxy embedded in a dark matter halo (DMH). We consider both spherical and oblate axisymmetric DMHs of aspect ratio q_h=0.6. The satellites are given different initial orbital inclinations, orbital periods and mass. The live flattened DMHs with embedded discs and bulges are set-up using a new fast algorithm, MaGalie (Boily, Kroupa and Pe\~{n}arrubia 2001). We find that the range of survival times of satellites within a flattened DMH becomes of the order of 100% larger than the same satellites within a spherical DMH. In the oblate DMH, satellites on polar orbits have the longest survival time, whereas satellites on coplanar prograde orbits are destroyed most rapidly. The orbital plane of a satellite tilts as a result of anisotropic dynamical friction, causing the satellite's orbit to align with the plane of symmetry of the DMH. Polar orbits are not subjected to alignment. Therefore the decay of a satellites in an axisymmetric DMH may provide a natural explanation for the observed lack of satellites within (0-30) degrees of their host galaxy's disc (Holmberg 1969; Zaritsky and Gonz\'alez 1999). The computations furthermore indicate that the evolution of the orbital eccentricity $e$ is highly dependent of its initial value e(t=0) and the DMH's shape. We also discuss some implications of flattened DMHs for satellite debris streams.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Satellite decay in flattened dark matter haloes 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 Satellite decay in flattened dark matter haloes, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Satellite decay in flattened dark matter haloes will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-308624