Interactions Between Massive Dark Halos And Warped Disks

Abstract

The normal mode theory for warping of galaxy disks, in which disks are assumed to be tilted with respect to the equator of a massive, flattened dark halo, assumes a rigid, fixed halo. However, consideration of the back-reaction by a misaligned disk on a massive particle halo shows there to be strong coupling leading to efficient damping (or in some circumstances excitation) of the misalignment, and hence the warp. We therefore discuss possible alternative explanations of the warp phenomenon, with emphasis on the effect of a responsive, gravitationally live massive galactic halo.