Open AccessThree‐integral models for axisymmetric galactic discs
Author(s) -
Famaey B.,
Van Caelenberg K.,
Dejonghe H.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2002.05642.x
Subject(s) - physics , galaxy , rotational symmetry , exponential function , anisotropy , plane (geometry) , component (thermodynamics) , space (punctuation) , astrophysics , distribution (mathematics) , classical mechanics , mathematical analysis , geometry , mechanics , optics , quantum mechanics , linguistics , philosophy , mathematics
We present new equilibrium component distribution functions that depend on three analytic integrals in a Stäckel potential, and that can be used to model stellar discs of galaxies. These components are generalizations of two‐integral ones and can thus provide thin discs in the two‐integral approximation. Their most important properties are the partly analytical expression for their moments, the disc‐like features of their configuration space densities (exponential decline in the galactic plane and finite extent in the vertical direction) and the anisotropy of their velocity dispersions. We further show that a linear combination of such components can fit a van der Kruit disc.