Hostname: page-component-84b7d79bbc-dwq4g Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-27T20:24:55.529Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

N-body simulations of interactions and mergings in small galaxy groups

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2016

E. Athanassoula*
Affiliation:
Observatoire de Marseille, 2 place Le Verrier, 13248 Marseille cedex 04, France

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

In this paper I focus on three topics related to the dynamical evolution of small galaxy groups, for which the input of N-body simulations has been decisive. These are the merging rates in compact groups, the properties of remnants of multiple mergers, and the evolution of disc galaxies surrounded by one or more satellites. The short dynamical times of compact groups make it difficult to understand why such groups are observed at all. N-body simulations have pointed out two possible classes of solutions to this problem. The first one proposes that there is ongoing formation of compact groups, or that the longevity of the group is due to secondary infall. For the second class of solutions the longevity of compact groups is due either to their specific initial conditions, or to a massive common halo, encompassing the whole group. I discuss here these alternatives, together with their respective advantages and disadvantages. I then turn to the structure of remnants of multiple mergers and compare the results of N-body simulations with the properties of observed elliptical galaxies. Finally I discuss the dynamical evolution of a disc galaxy surrounded by one or more spherical satellites.

Type
Part 3. Numerical Simulations
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of the Pacific 2000

References

Athanassoula, E., Makino, J., & Bosma, A. 1997, MNRAS, 286, 825 (AMB97)Google Scholar
Athanassoula, E., & Vozikis, Ch. L. 1999 in Galaxy Interactions at low and high Redshifts, Barnes, J.E. & Sanders, D.B., Dordrecht: Kluwer, p. 145 (AV99)Google Scholar
Barnes, J.E. 1985, MNRAS, 215, 517 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barnes, J.E. 1989, Nature, 338, 123 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barnes, J.E. 1992, ApJ, 393, 484 Google Scholar
Barnes, J.E. 1998, in Interactions and Induced star formation: Saas-Fee Advanced Course 26, Friedli, D., Martinet, L., Pfenniger, D., Berlin: Springer Verlag, p. 275 Google Scholar
Barnes, J.E., & Hernquist, L. 1992, ARA&A, 30, 705 Google Scholar
Binney, J., & Tremarne, S.D. 1987, Galactic Dynamics, Princeton University Press, Princeton Google Scholar
Bode, P.W., Cohn, H.N., & Lugger, P.M. 1993, ApJ, 416, 17 Google Scholar
Carnevali, P., Cavaliere, A., & Santagelo, P. 1981, ApJ, 249, 449 Google Scholar
Diaferio, A., Geller, M.J., & Ramella, M. 1994, AJ, 107, 868 Google Scholar
Franx, M., Illingworth, G., & de Zeeuw, T. 1991, ApJ, 383, 112 Google Scholar
Governato, F., Bhatia, R., & Chincarini, G. 1991, ApJ, 371, L15 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Governato, F., Tozii, P., & Cavaliere, A. 1996, ApJ, 458, 18 Google Scholar
Hernquist, L., Katz, N., & Weinberg, D.H. 1995, ApJ, 442, 57 Google Scholar
Hickson, P. 1982, ApJ, 255, 382 Google Scholar
Hickson, P. 1993, Astrophys. Lett. Comm., 29, 1 Google Scholar
Hickson, P. 1997, ARA&A, 35, 357 (H97)Google Scholar
Hickson, P., Mendes de Oliveira, C., Huchra, J.P., & Palumbo, G.G. 1992, ApJ, 399, 353 Google Scholar
Ishizawa, T. 1986, Ap&SS, 119, 221 Google Scholar
Ishizawa, T., Matsumoto, R., Tajima, T., Kageyama, H., & Sakai, H. 1983, PASJ, 35, 61 Google Scholar
Mamon, G.A. 1986, ApJ, 307, 426 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mamon, G.A. 1995, in Groups of Galaxies, ASP Conf, Ser. 70, 83 Google Scholar
Mendes de Oliveira, C., & Hickson, P. 1994, ApJ, 427, 684 Google Scholar
Mihos, J.C., & Hernquist, L. 1994, ApJ, 437, L47 Google Scholar
Mulchaey, J.S., Davis, D.S., Mushotzky, R.F., & Burstein, D. 1993, ApJ, 404, L9 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mulchaey, J.S., & Zabludoff, A.I. 1999, ApJ, 514, 133 Google Scholar
Ostriker, J.P., Lubin, L.M., & Hernquist, L. 1995, ApJ, 444, L61 Google Scholar
Pildis, R.A., Bregman, J.N., & Evrard, A.E. 1995, ApJ, 443, 514 Google Scholar
Ponman, T.J., Allan, D.J., Jones, L.R., Merrifield, M., McHardy, I.M., Lehto, H.J., & Luppino, G.A. 1994, Nature, 369, 462 Google Scholar
Ponman, T.J., Bertram, D. 1993, Nature, 363, 51 Google Scholar
Prandoni, I., Iovino, A., & MacGillivray, H.T. 1994, AJ, 107, 1235 Google Scholar
Rose, J.A. 1977, ApJ, 211, 311 Google Scholar
Sulentic, J.W., & Rabaça, C.R. 1994, ApJ, 429, 531 Google Scholar
Weil, M.L., & Hernquist, L. 1994, ApJ, 431, L79 Google Scholar
Weil, M.L., & Hernquist, L. 1996, ApJ, 460, 101 (WH96)Google Scholar
Zepf, S.E., & Whitmore, B.C. 1991, ApJ, 383, 542 CrossRefGoogle Scholar