Multiple nuclei, cluster core dynamics, and the velocity distributions of gravitating systems

Thesis/Dissertation · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:5183117

Merrifield, M R

The dynamics of galaxies in the cores of clusters are investigated. Their spatial distribution within 250h(-1) kpc of a central dominant galaxy is shown to follow an exponential distribution, characteristic of the effects of dynamical friction. The shape of this density distribution means that the majority of the secondary condensations, or multiple nuclei, observed within the envelopes of central dominant galaxies can be explained as the line-of-sight projection of normal cluster members. However, the high central density associated with such a cusped distribution also raises the possibility that some multiple nuclei may be currently colliding with the underlying dominant galaxy. Kinematic observations are found to be in accord with the distribution of orbits in the cluster core being isotropic. These observations also imply that the fraction of multiple nuclei now merging with the central galaxies is too small for the central galaxy to have acquired its current stature by this process alone. Investigation of individual well sampled clusters does, however, suggest that a large central dominant galaxy can detectably affect the dynamics of the cluster core.

• Research Organization: Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5183117
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
DATA
DENSITY
DISTRIBUTION
DYNAMICS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FRICTION
GALAXY CLUSTERS
GALAXY NUCLEI
INFORMATION
ISOTROPY
MECHANICS
NUMERICAL DATA
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
VELOCITY