TY - JOUR
T1 - Rotation curve bifurcations as indicators of close recent galaxy encounters
AU - Pedrosa, S.
AU - Tissera, P. B.
AU - Fuentes-Carrera, I.
AU - De Oliveira, C. Mendes
PY - 2008/6
Y1 - 2008/6
N2 - Context: Rotation curves of interacting galaxies often show that velocities are either rising or falling in the direction of the companion galaxy. Aims: We seek to reproduce and analyse these features in the rotation curves of simulated equal-mass galaxies suffering a one-to-one encounter as possible indicators of close encounters. Methods: Using simulations of major mergers in 3D, we study the time evolution of these asymmetries in a pair of galaxies during the first passage. Results: Our main results are: (a) the rotation curve asymmetries appear right at pericentre of the first passage, (b) the significant disturbed rotation velocities occur within a small time interval, of , and, therefore, the presence of bifurcation in the velocity curve could be used as an indicator of the pericentre occurrence. These results are in qualitative agreement with previous findings for minor mergers and flybys.
AB - Context: Rotation curves of interacting galaxies often show that velocities are either rising or falling in the direction of the companion galaxy. Aims: We seek to reproduce and analyse these features in the rotation curves of simulated equal-mass galaxies suffering a one-to-one encounter as possible indicators of close encounters. Methods: Using simulations of major mergers in 3D, we study the time evolution of these asymmetries in a pair of galaxies during the first passage. Results: Our main results are: (a) the rotation curve asymmetries appear right at pericentre of the first passage, (b) the significant disturbed rotation velocities occur within a small time interval, of , and, therefore, the presence of bifurcation in the velocity curve could be used as an indicator of the pericentre occurrence. These results are in qualitative agreement with previous findings for minor mergers and flybys.
KW - Galaxies: interactions
KW - Galaxies: spiral
KW - Galaxy: kinematics and dynamics
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=44449102069&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1051/0004-6361:20078318
DO - 10.1051/0004-6361:20078318
M3 - Artículo
SN - 0004-6361
VL - 484
SP - 299
EP - 302
JO - Astronomy and Astrophysics
JF - Astronomy and Astrophysics
IS - 2
ER -