On the formation of galaxies with flat rotation curves

The dynamical development of a gravitationally unstable, initially uniform, collision-free medium has been studied by means of fully self-consistent three-dimensional numerical experiments. The system is encouraged to form just one blob by means of a small density bump, and its collapse is followed until a steady state has been reached. That blob may be interpreted as a galaxy, complete with halo. The galaxies that form have flat 'rotation curves'. Particles with initial speeds in excess of the velocity (V0) in that flat rotation curve remain unaffected by the collapse; those with speeds less than V0 join the collapse and have their speeds increased to V0. A quasi-virial argument yields correct estimates for V0.