On the formation of elliptical galaxies

Journal Article · Wed Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 1975 · Astrophys. J., v. 201, no. 2, pp. 296-310

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-1818-0_27· OSTI ID:4098951

Gott, III, J R

Simple collapse and violent relaxation models produce sharply cut off envelopes with rho (r) proportionalr$sup -4$, whereas actual elliptical galaxies have more extended envelopes approximately given by rho (r) Ir$sup -3$ as implied by Hubble's law. Numerical models are presented, showing that when cosmological infall effects are included, galaxies are produced with envelopes having a rho (r) Ir$sup -2$$.$$sup 8$ dependence in excellent agreement with Hubble's law. A realistic rotating model is computed of an E5 galaxy which includes infall effects and where the angular momentum of the galaxy is gained through tidal interactions with neighboring protogalaxies. The envelope displays a Hubble dependence but at great distances shows a cutoff due to the tidal effects. The model gives an outstandingly good fit to the envelope of the E5 galaxy NGC 4697. Except for simple scaling, this fit is produced without the use of any free- fitting parameters. A mass-to-light ratio for NGC 4697 is also computed. (AIP)

• Research Organization: California Institute of Technology
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-33-018181
• OSTI ID: 4098951
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., v. 201, no. 2, pp. 296-310, Journal Name: Astrophys. J., v. 201, no. 2, pp. 296-310; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*GALACTIC EVOLUTION-- HUBBLE EFFECT
640105* --Physics Research--Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
ANGULAR MOMENTUM
ELLIPTICAL CONFIGURATION
LUMINOSITY
MASS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
N56500* --Physics (Astrophysics & Cosmology)--Galaxies
ROTATION
SCALING LAWS
VISIBLE RADIATION