The Phase Space Structure of Triaxial Galaxies with Figure Rotation

Details The Phase Space Structure of Triaxial Galaxies with Figure Rotation The Phase Space Structure of Triaxial Galaxies with Figure Rotation

May 2010

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010dda....41.0901v&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DDA meeting #41, #9.01; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 41, p.934

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

The most general shape for both elliptical galaxies and dark matter halos is a triaxial one, since both types of objects are known to form via hierarchical mergers. Since the progenitors of the merger remnant generally have angular momentum (both internal and in their relative orbit), triaxial systems are expected to have significant angular momentum. Triaxial systems can exhibit figure rotation: a property that is independent of the collective angular momentum of individual particles. Previous theoretical studies of the orbital properties of realistic triaxial galaxies with both central cusps and/or supermassive black holes have shown that the orbital structure of phase space is rich with resonant orbit families, which form the skeletal structure of the triaxial galaxy. Most previous studies have, however, ignored the effects of figure rotation. Using Laskar's frequency mapping technique we show that the coriolis force that arises due to figure rotation destabilizes the resonant orbit families by broadening them resulting in a significant amount global chaos. We quantify the degree of chaos in these systems by using a parameter that measures the drift in orbital fundamental frequencies. A new stable resonant family originating from the intermediate axis of the triaxial figure arise as the figure rotation increases. We discuss the implications of these results for elliptical galaxies and dark matter halos.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Phase Space Structure of Triaxial Galaxies with Figure Rotation 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 The Phase Space Structure of Triaxial Galaxies with Figure Rotation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Phase Space Structure of Triaxial Galaxies with Figure Rotation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-915867