Linear Potentials and Galactic Rotation Curves - Representative Fitting

Abstract

We present a simple, closed form expression for the potential of an axisymmetric disk of stars interacting through gravitational potentials of the form $V(r)=-\beta /r+\gamma r/2$, the potential associated with fundamental sources in the conformal invariant fourth order theory of gravity which has recently been advanced by Mannheim and Kazanas as a candidate alternative to the standard second order Einstein theory. Using the model we obtain a reasonable fit to some representative galactic rotation curve data without the need for any non-luminous or dark matter. Our study suggests that the observed flatness of rotation curves might only be an intermediate phenomenon rather than an asymptotic one.

UCONN-92-3, 14 pages (plus 1 figure - send requests to [email protected]), in plain TeX. (This is an updated version of original paper "Linear Potentials and Galactic Rotation Curves" which now provides fits to a representative of each of the four different classes of spiral galactic rotation curves. To appear in the Astrophysical Journal)