Phenomenological approach to the modelling of elliptical galaxies: The problem of the mass-to-light ratio
In this paper the problem of the phenomenological modelling of elliptical galaxies using various available observational data is presented. Recently, Tortora, Cardona and Piedipalumbo (2007) suggested a double power law expression for the global cumulative mass-to-light ratio of elliptical galaxies....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Astronomical Observatory, Department of Astronomy, Belgrade
2007-01-01
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| Series: | Serbian Astronomical Journal |
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| Online Access: | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1450-698X/2007/1450-698X0774035S.pdf |
| Summary: | In this paper the problem of the phenomenological modelling of elliptical galaxies using various available observational data is presented. Recently, Tortora, Cardona and Piedipalumbo (2007) suggested a double power law expression for the global cumulative mass-to-light ratio of elliptical galaxies. We tested their expression on a sample of ellipticals for which we have the estimates of the mass-to-light ratio beyond ~ 3 effective radii, a region where dark matter is expected to play an important dynamical role. We found that, for all the galaxies in our sample, we have α + β > 0, but that this does not necessarily mean a high dark matter content. The galaxies with higher mass (and higher dark matter content) also have higher value of α+β. It was also shown that there is an indication that the galaxies with higher value of the effective radius also have higher dark matter content. . |
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| ISSN: | 1450-698X 1820-9289 |