Formation of Elliptical and S0 Galaxies by Close Encounters
Abstract
We study a possible formation mechanism for elliptical/S0 galaxies using N-body simulations with GRAPE. A close galaxy encounter which does not lead to a merger can induce a strong bar in an initially axisymmetric disk. This bar is unstable against bending oscillations and loses angular momentum to the dark halo. After 6 Gyrs the remnant is spheroidal with a de Vaucouleurs-type surface profile and has ellipticities and rotation properties comparable to observed elliptical/S0 galaxies: the system rotates fast (v/sigma ≈ 1) and has disky isophotes.
Turn this paper into a full lesson
ArcXiv compiles a staged curriculum from this paper: 8-12 lessons across beginner → advanced, synthesised section guides, visuals, flashcards, a quiz, exercises, and on-demand deep dives per section. Grounded in the abstract, never invented.