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Extended HI Rotation Curve and Mass Distribution of M31

Claude Carignan, Laurent Chemin, Walter K. Huchtmeier, Felix J. Lockman

astro-pharXiv:astro-ph/0603143

Abstract

New HI observations of Messier 31 (M31) obtained with the Effelsberg and Green Bank 100-m telescopes make it possible to measure the rotation curve of that galaxy out to ~35 kpc. Between 20 and 35 kpc, the rotation curve is nearly flat at a velocity of ~226 km/s. A model of the mass distribution shows that at the last observed velocity point, the minimum dark-to-luminous mass ratio is \~0.5 for a total mass of 3.4 1011 Msol at R < 35 kpc. This can be compared to the estimated MW mass of 4.9 1011 Msol for R < 50 kpc.

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