Related papers: Two-integral Schwarzschild models
We describe an improved, practical method for constructing galaxy models that match an arbitrary set of observational constraints, without prior assumptions about the phase-space distribution function (DF). Our method is an extension of…
We construct axisymmetric and triaxial galaxy models with a phase-space distribution function that depends on linear combinations of the three exact integrals of motion for a separable potential. These Abel models, first introduced by…
We test the ability of Schwarzschild's orbit superposition method in measuring the mass content, scale radius and shape of a flattened dwarf spheroidal galaxy. Until now, most dynamical model efforts have assumed that dwarf spheroidal…
A technique for the construction of axisymmetric distribution functions for individual galaxies is presented. It starts from the observed surface bright- ness distribution, which is deprojected to gain the axisymmetric luminosity density,…
The contour integral method of Hunter & Qian is applied to axisymmetric galaxy models in which the distribution function (DF) is of the form f=f(E,L_z), where E and L_z are the classical integrals of motion in an axisymmetric potential. A…
Schwarzschild's orbit-superposition technique is the most developed and well-tested method available for constraining the detailed mass distributions of equilibrium stellar systems. Here I provide a very short overview of the method and its…
Schwarzschild dynamical models are now regularly employed in large surveys of galaxies in the local and distant Universe to derive information on galaxies' intrinsic properties such as their orbital structure and their (dark matter and…
Dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxies are believed to be strongly dark matter dominated and thus are considered perfect objects to study dark matter distribution and test theories of structure formation. They possess resolved, multiple stellar…
We use Schwarzschild's orbit superposition method to build self-consistent models of elliptical galaxies with scale-free potentials. Our exhaustive study of all physical shapes and central densities for galaxies with scale-free potentials…
An extension of Schwarzschild's galaxy-building technique is presented that, for the first time, enables one to build Schwarzschild models with known distribution functions (DFs). The new extension makes it possible to combine a DF that…
We evaluate the capabilities of Schwarzschild's orbit-superposition method by applying it to galaxies from the large scale, high resolution Illustris simulation. Nine early-type galaxies with a range of triaxiality are selected, and we…
Tremendous progress has been made recently in modelling the morphology and kinematics of centers of galaxies. Increasingly realistic models are built for central bar, bulge, nucleus and black hole of galaxies, including our own. The newly…
We present a flexible and efficient method to construct triaxial dynamical models of galaxies with a central black hole, using Schwarzschild's orbital superposition approach. Our method is general and can deal with realistic luminosity…
We construct phase-space distribution functions for the oblate, cuspy mass models of Sridhar & Touma, which may contain a central point mass (black hole) and have potentials of St\"ackel form in parabolic coordinates. The density in the ST…
This article describes the Schwarzschild orbit superposition method. It is the state-of-the-art dynamical modelling tool for early-type galaxies. Tests with analytic models show that masses and orbital anisotropies of not too face-on…
We present a detailed analysis of the behavior of the triaxial Schwarzschild orbit superposition method near the axisymmetric limit. Orbit superposition modeling is the primary method used to determine dynamical masses of supermassive black…
We present an implementation of the Schwarzschild orbit superposition method which can be used for constructing self-consistent equilibrium models of barred or non-barred disc galaxies, or of elliptical galaxies with figure rotation. This…
From Rybicki's analysis using the Fourier slice theorem, mathematically it is possible to reproduce uniquely an edge-on axisymmetric galaxy's 3D light distribution from its 2D surface brightness. Utilizing galaxies from a cosmological…
The standard method of modelling axisymmetric stellar systems begins from the assumption that mass follows light. The gravitational potential is then derived from the luminosity distribution, and a unique two-integral distribution function…
We describe a new finite element method (FEM) to construct continuous equilibrium distribution functions of stellar systems. The method is a generalization of Schwarzschild's orbit superposition method from the space of discrete functions…