Kinematical and dynamical modeling of elliptical galaxies

G. A. Mamon*, E. Łokas, A. Dekel, F. Stoehr, T. J. Cox

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Elements of kinematical and dynamical modeling of elliptical galaxies are presented. In projection, NFW models resemble Sérsic models, but with a very narrow range of shapes (m = 3 ± 1). The total density profile of ellipticals cannot be NFW-like because the predicted local M / L and aperture velocity dispersion within an effective radius (Re) are much lower than observed. Stars must then dominate ellipticals out to a few Re. Fitting an NFW model to the total density profile of Sérsic+NFW (stars+dark matter [DM]) ellipticals results in very high concentration parameters, as found by X-ray observers. Kinematical modeling of ellipticals assuming an Isotropic NFW DM model underestimates M/L at the virial radius by a factor of 1.6 to 2.4, because dissipationless ACDM halos have slightly different density profiles and slightly radial velocity anisotropy. In JV-body+gas simulations of ellipticals as merger remnants of spirals embedded in DM halos, the slope of the DM density profile is steeper when the initial spiral galaxies are gas-rich. The Hansen & Moore (2006) relation between anisotropy and the slope of the density profile breaks down for gas and DM, but the stars follow an analogous relation with slightly less radial anisotropies for a given density slope. Using kurtosis (h4) to infer anisotropy in ellipticals is dangerous, as h4 is also sensitive to small levels of rotation. The stationary Jeans equation provides accurate masses out to 8 Re. The discrepancy between the modeling of Romanowsky et al. (2003), indicating a dearth of DM in ellipticals, and the simulations analyzed by Dekel et al. (2005), which match the spectroscopic observations of ellipticals, is partly due to radial anisotropy and to observing oblate ellipticals face-on. However, one of the 15 solutions to the orbit modeling of Romanowsky et, al. is found to have an amount and concentration of DM consistent with ACDM predictions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication21st IAP Colloquium Mass Profiles and Shapes of Cosmological Structures
Pages139-148
Number of pages10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006
Event21st IAP Colloquium Mass Profiles and Shapes of Cosmological Structures - Paris, France
Duration: 4 Jul 20059 Jul 2005

Publication series

NameEAS Publications Series
Volume20
ISSN (Print)1633-4760

Conference

Conference21st IAP Colloquium Mass Profiles and Shapes of Cosmological Structures
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityParis
Period4/07/059/07/05

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