Related papers: Building Self-Consistent Triaxial Galaxy Models Us…
(Abridged) We describe a new iterative approach for the realization of equilibrium N-body systems for given density distributions. Our method uses elements of Schwarzschild's technique and of the made-to-measure method, but is based on a…
Intrinsic galaxy alignments constitute the major astrophysical systematic of forthcoming weak gravitational lensing surveys but also yield unique insights into galaxy formation and evolution. We build analytic models for the distribution of…
Gravitational lensing shear has the potential to be the most powerful tool for constraining the nature of dark energy. However, accurate measurement of galaxy shear is crucial and has been shown to be non-trivial by the Shear TEsting…
We determine the orientations of the light distribution of individual elliptical galaxies by combining the profiles of photometric data from the literature with triaxial models. The orientation is given by a Bayesian probability…
We perform a stability test of triaxial models in MOdified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) using N-body simulations. The triaxial models considered here have densities that vary with $r^{-1}$ in the center and $r^{-4}$ at large radii. The total…
The velocity distribution of neighbouring stars is deduced from the Hipparcos proper motions. We have used a classical Schwarzschild decomposition and also developed a dynamical model for quasi-exponential stellar discs. This model is a 3-D…
Accounting for the triaxial shapes of galaxy clusters will become important in the context of upcoming cosmological surveys. We show that, compared to the gas density distribution, the cluster gravitational potential can be better…
We have developed an orbit-based method for constructing triaxial models of elliptical galaxies, which fit their observed surface brightness and kinematics. We have tested the method against analytical models with general distribution…
In this study we present a simple model of elliptical galaxies aimed at interpreting the gradients in colours and narrow band indices observed across these systems. Salient features of the model are the gradients in mass density and star…
Celestial bodies approximated with rigid triaxial ellipsoids in a two-body system can rotate chaotically due to the time-varying gravitational torque from the central mass. At small orbital eccentricity values, rotation is short-term…
It has recently been argued that the observed ellipticities of galaxies may be determined at least in part by the primordial tidal gravitational field in which the galaxy formed. Long-range correlations in the tidal field could thus lead to…
We develop a model of globular cluster (GC) formation within the cosmological hierarchy of structure formation. The model is rooted in the `two-phase' scenario of galaxy formation developed in Paper-I, where the fast accretion of dark…
We examine in detail the dynamical structure of an elliptical galaxy simulated in the Lambda CDM scenario. The morphology of the galaxy evolves dramatically over time in response to the mode and timing of mass accretion; smooth deposition…
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…
I outline the connections between some of the most widely used statistical measures of galaxy clustering and the fundamental issues in the theory of structure formation. I devote particular attention to the problem of biasing, i.e. to a…
Using the potential from N-body simulations, we construct the Galactic bar models with the Schwarzschild method. By varying the pattern speed and the position angle of the bar, we find that the best-fit bar model has pattern speed…
We present a family of spherical models for elliptical galaxies and bulges consisting of a stellar component and a central black hole. All models in this family share the same stellar density profile, which has a steep central cusp. The…
We study the behavior of orbits in two different galactic dynamical models, describing the motion in the central parts of a triaxial elliptical galaxy with a dense nucleus. Numerical experiments show that both models display regular motion…
We establish the dynamical instability of a static, spherically symmetric, and infinitesimally thin shell in general relativity. The shell is made up of a perfect fluid with a barotropic equation of state, and it produces a Schwarzschild…
As a large-scale overdensity collapses, it affects the orientation and shape of galaxies that form, by exerting tidal shear along their axes. Therefore, the shapes of elliptical galaxies align with the tidal field of cosmic structures. This…