Galaxy merging in MOND

Abstract

We present the results of N-body simulations of dissipationless galaxy merging in Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND). For comparison, we also studied Newtonian merging between galaxies embedded in dark matter halos, with internal dynamics equivalent to the MOND systems. We found that the merging timescales are significantly longer in MOND than in Newtonian gravity with dark matter, suggesting that observational evidence of rapid merging could be difficult to explain in MOND. However, when two galaxies eventually merge, the MOND merging end-product is hardly distinguishable from the final stellar distribution of an equivalent Newtonian merger with dark matter.

5 pages, 2 color figures. To appear in MNRAS Letters. Added references and discussion, conclusions unchanged

References in corpus (3)

• The modified Newtonian dynamics-MOND-and its implications for new physics
• Evolution of spiral galaxies in modified gravity
• Vertical dynamics of disk galaxies in MOND

Cited by in corpus (7)

• X-ray Group and cluster mass profiles in MOND: Unexplained mass on the group scale
• Dwarf Spheroidals in MOND
• Dynamical friction in modified Newtonian dynamics
• The collision velocity of the bullet cluster in conventional and modified dynamics
• Forming Galaxies with MOND
• The velocity distribution of SDSS satellites in MOND
• N-body simulations for testing the stability of triaxial galaxies in MOND