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Orbital decay in aspherical galaxies. II - Triaxial systemsA previous analysis of orbital decay of small satellite galaxies into moderately oblate, axisymmetrical cannibal galaxies with Staeckel potentials is generalized here to triaxial systems with arbitary anisotropy and internal streaming. The orbital evolution to be expected in systems with differing degrees of anisotropy or rotation is briefly discussed. The evolution of some representative orbits is presented in detail using the orbit-averaged anisotropic Chandrasekhar drag and the distribution functions for perfect ellipsoids. The validity of orbit averaging is assessed by comparing the results with ensembles of single-particle orbits integrated directly in the same potential and the same drag prescription. An attempt is made to gauge the validity of the Chandrasekhar formula by comparison with restricted N-body solutions. It is found that the orbit-averaged evolution is consistent with such simulations.
Document ID
19910059741
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Statler, Thomas S.
(California, University Berkeley; Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics, Boulder, CO, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
July 10, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 375
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
91A44364
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-766
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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