Box-shaped galactic bulges. I. Equilibrium models
Simple self-consistent stellar distribution-function models are presented which have a box-shaped appearance and are cylindrically rotating. The distribution function is a function only of the two classical isolating integrals of an axisymmetric system, energy and the component of angular momentum parallel to the axis of symmetry. The major difference between these models and previous ones is the mode of truncation of the distribution function. The truncation contour has the same functional form as all of the other contours of the distribution function. This ensures that the mean rotation in the meridional plane of the models is identically cylindrical. It is argued that this mode of truncation is similar to what would be found in a system that has suffered significant dissipation. A second paper in this series presents comparisons of the models to photometric and kinematic observations of a number of box-shaped galactic bulges. 23 references.
- Research Organization:
- Mount Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatories, Canberra (Australia)
- OSTI ID:
- 7088838
- Journal Information:
- Astrophys. J.; (United States), Vol. 331
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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