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Barred spiral galaxy NGC 3992: Does it have a massive halo

Journal Article · · Astrophys. J.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/160233· OSTI ID:7063741
We present new high-resolution H I observations of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 3992 and three nearby satellite systems. These data are employed to estimate the mass and mass distribution of NGC 3992. From an analysis of the rotation velocities we find the disk mass is most probably 2 x 10/sup 11/ M/sub sun/, within a radius of 19.7 kpc. The motions of the satellites will not allow a mass greater than about 4 x 10/sup 11/ M/sub sun/ within a mean radius of 59 kpc. However, we believe this to be an overestimate, perhaps by as much as a factor of 2. We conclude that (1) beyond the optical disk, the mass of the system does not increase linearly with distance, and (2) the galaxy is unlikely to posses a massive (approx.10/sup 12/ M/sub sun/) halo. This leaves open the question of why the galaxy has such a flat rotation curve.
Research Organization:
Department of Astronomy, University of Florida
OSTI ID:
7063741
Journal Information:
Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 260:1; ISSN ASJOA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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