Comparing Various Approaches to Simulating the Formation of Shell Galaxies

Abstract

The model of a radial minor merger proposed by Quinn (1984), which successfully reproduces the observed regular shell systems in shell galaxies, is ideal for a test-particle simulation. We compare such a simulation with a self-consistent one. They agree very well in positions of the first generation of shells but potentially important effects -- dynamical friction and gradual decay of the dwarf galaxy -- are not present in the test-particle model, therefore we look for a proper way to include them.

2 pages, 1 figure, to appear in the Proceedings of JENAM 2010, Symposium 2: "Environment and the formation of galaxies: 30 years later"