Chaos in a galaxy model with nucleus and bulge components

A galaxy model, with a disk halo and a spherical nucleus, is used to study the transition from regular to chaotic motion for stars moving in the r-z plane. Stars with values of angular momentum Lz less than or equal to a critical value Lzc, moving near the galactic plane, are scattered to the halo u...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Astronomical journal 1991-10, Vol.102 (4), p.1343-1347
Main Authors: CARANICOLAS, N. D, INNANEN, K. A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astronomy
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Interstellar medium (ism) and nebulae in external galaxies
Stellar systems. Galactic and extragalactic objects and systems. The universe
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Summary:A galaxy model, with a disk halo and a spherical nucleus, is used to study the transition from regular to chaotic motion for stars moving in the r-z plane. Stars with values of angular momentum Lz less than or equal to a critical value Lzc, moving near the galactic plane, are scattered to the halo upon encountering the nuclear region, and subsequently display chaotic motion. A linear relationship exists between the critical angular momentum and the mass of the nucleus. Some theoretical arguments are presented to explain this behavior. Similar results are obtained if we use the same model with a spherical bulge instead of a nucleus. A comparison is made between Lzc and the circular angular momentum Lzo at different distances from the center of the galaxy. The results suggest that, for disk galaxies with prominent nuclei, the stars in an associated bulge are in predominantly chaotic orbits. (Author)
ISSN:0004-6256
1538-3881
DOI:10.1086/115959