ISSN:
1572-9478
Keywords:
rigid body
;
analytical methods
;
elliptical galaxies
;
cluster of galaxies
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract We investigate the motion, near the equilibrium configurations, of an initially spinless rigid body subject to an external tidal field. Two cases are considered: when the center of mass of the body is at rest at the equilibrium point of the field generated by a generic mass distribution, and when it is placed on a circular orbit subject to a spherically symmetric potential. A complete analysis of the equilibrium configurations is carried out for both cases. First, we derive the conditions for the stable equilibria, and then we analyze the frequencies of oscillations around the equilibrium positions. In view of these results, we consider the problem of alignment of galaxies in clusters. After estimating the period of the oscillations induced on the galaxies by the tidal field of the cluster, we discuss the possible effect of resonances between stellar orbits inside the galaxy and the oscillations of the galaxy as a whole; this may be a mechanism responsible for producing an intracluster stellar population.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1008276022759
Permalink
