Phase densities and the merger hypothesis

Journal Article · Mon May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Astron. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/115074· OSTI ID:5726605

Lake, G

The question of whether NGC 5813 and IC 1459 are merger remnants is addressed, and it is shown that these galaxies have peak phase densities that are normal for elliptical galaxies of their luminosity. Central phase densities are determined for ellipticals and for two models of exponential disks. It is demonstrated that the distribution function of an elliptical galaxy displays a higher degree of mixing than that of a constant scale-height exponential disk, consistent with the merger hypothesis. The results suggest that the merger of pure disk galaxies may produce ellipticals. 31 refs.

• Research Organization: Washington Univ., Seattle (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5726605
• Journal Information: Astron. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astron. J.; (United States) Vol. 97; ISSN ANJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BASIC INTERACTIONS
CONFIGURATION
DENSITY
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
ELLIPTICAL CONFIGURATION
FUNCTIONS
GALACTIC EVOLUTION
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
GRAVITATIONAL INTERACTIONS
INTERACTIONS
PHOTOMETRY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SPIRAL CONFIGURATION