Action-based distribution functions for spheroidal galaxy components

Abstract

We present an approach to the design of distribution functions that depend on the phase-space coordinates through the action integrals. The approach makes it easy to construct a dynamical model of a given stellar component. We illustrate the approach by deriving distribution functions that self-consistently generate several popular stellar systems, including the Hernquist, Jaffe, and Navarro, Frenk and White models. We focus on non-rotating spherical systems, but extension to flattened and rotating systems is trivial. Our distribution functions are easily added to each other and to previously published distribution functions for discs to create self-consistent multi-component galaxies. The models this approach makes possible should prove valuable both for the interpretation of observational data and for exploring the non-equilibrium dynamics of galaxies via N-body simulation.

9 pages, 8 figures, 1 appendix, MNRAS accepted

References in corpus (3)

• Constraining the Galaxy's dark halo with RAVE stars
• Hamiltonians of Spherically Symmetric, Scale-Free Galaxies in Action-Angle Coordinates
• A Very Simple Cusped Halo Model

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• Modelling the Milky Way's globular cluster system
• Mapping the stability of stellar rotating spheres via linear response theory
• Action-based models for dwarf spheroidal galaxies and globular clusters
• A Versatile and Accurate Method for Halo Mass Determination from Phase-Space Distribution of Satellite Galaxies
• Made-to-measure galaxy modelling utilising absorption line strength data
• The Doubloon Models of Dark Haloes
• Integrals of motion for non-axisymmetric potentials