The potential-estimation method of cluster mass determination

Details The potential-estimation method of cluster mass determination The potential-estimation method of cluster mass determination

Aug 1982

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1982apj...259..423s&link_type=abstract

Astrophysical Journal, Part 1, vol. 259, Aug. 1, 1982, p. 423-430.

Mathematics

4

Galactic Clusters, Mass, Maximum Likelihood Estimates, Potential Theory, Functions (Mathematics), Radial Velocity, Radii, Virial Theorem

Scientific paper

A maximum likelihood method for estimating the masses of clusters with or without unseen matter is developed. It consists of fitting an approximate general potential function to the observed positions and radial velocities. The procedure gives estimates of the system total mass and, less accurately, the 'core' radius of the total mass distribution. Bahcall and Tremaine's (1981) projected mass method for test particles orbiting a point mass appears to be a special case of the present method. The potential-estimation method is considerably freer of bias than the virial theorem method. In the worst case the bias was roughly 50 percent, and generally it appears to be 25 percent or less. The method's principal disadvantage is an occasional failure to obtain a solution when applied to inner samples in projection.

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