Three-dimensional Keplerian orbit-superposition models of the nucleus of M31

We present three-dimensional eccentric disc models of the nucleus of M31, modelling the disc as a linear combination of thick rings of massless stars orbiting in the potential of a central black hole. Our models are nonparametric generalisations of the parametric models of Peiris and Tremaine. The m...

詳細記述

書誌詳細
主要な著者: Brown, C, Magorrian, S
フォーマット: Journal article
言語:English
出版事項: 2013
_version_ 1826280943976972288
author Brown, C
Magorrian, S
author_facet Brown, C
Magorrian, S
author_sort Brown, C
collection OXFORD
description We present three-dimensional eccentric disc models of the nucleus of M31, modelling the disc as a linear combination of thick rings of massless stars orbiting in the potential of a central black hole. Our models are nonparametric generalisations of the parametric models of Peiris and Tremaine. The models reproduce well the observed WFPC2 photometry, the detailed line-of-sight velocity distributions from STIS observations along P1 and P2, together with the qualitative features of the OASIS kinematic maps. We confirm Peiris and Tremaine's finding that nuclear discs aligned with the larger disc of M31 are strongly ruled out. Our optimal model is inclined at 57 degrees with respect to the line of sight of M31 and has a position angle of 55 degrees. It has a central black hole of mass 10^8 solar masses, and, when viewed in three dimensions, shows a clear enhancement in the density of stars around the black hole. The distribution of orbit eccentricities in our models is similar to Peiris and Tremaine's model, but we find significantly different inclination distributions, which might provide valuable clues to the origin of the disc.
first_indexed 2024-03-07T00:21:20Z
format Journal article
id oxford-uuid:7ca57f33-1d5f-4b79-be42-25f7dbc4518b
institution University of Oxford
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-07T00:21:20Z
publishDate 2013
record_format dspace
spelling oxford-uuid:7ca57f33-1d5f-4b79-be42-25f7dbc4518b2022-03-26T20:58:27ZThree-dimensional Keplerian orbit-superposition models of the nucleus of M31Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:7ca57f33-1d5f-4b79-be42-25f7dbc4518bEnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford2013Brown, CMagorrian, SWe present three-dimensional eccentric disc models of the nucleus of M31, modelling the disc as a linear combination of thick rings of massless stars orbiting in the potential of a central black hole. Our models are nonparametric generalisations of the parametric models of Peiris and Tremaine. The models reproduce well the observed WFPC2 photometry, the detailed line-of-sight velocity distributions from STIS observations along P1 and P2, together with the qualitative features of the OASIS kinematic maps. We confirm Peiris and Tremaine's finding that nuclear discs aligned with the larger disc of M31 are strongly ruled out. Our optimal model is inclined at 57 degrees with respect to the line of sight of M31 and has a position angle of 55 degrees. It has a central black hole of mass 10^8 solar masses, and, when viewed in three dimensions, shows a clear enhancement in the density of stars around the black hole. The distribution of orbit eccentricities in our models is similar to Peiris and Tremaine's model, but we find significantly different inclination distributions, which might provide valuable clues to the origin of the disc.
spellingShingle Brown, C
Magorrian, S
Three-dimensional Keplerian orbit-superposition models of the nucleus of M31
title Three-dimensional Keplerian orbit-superposition models of the nucleus of M31
title_full Three-dimensional Keplerian orbit-superposition models of the nucleus of M31
title_fullStr Three-dimensional Keplerian orbit-superposition models of the nucleus of M31
title_full_unstemmed Three-dimensional Keplerian orbit-superposition models of the nucleus of M31
title_short Three-dimensional Keplerian orbit-superposition models of the nucleus of M31
title_sort three dimensional keplerian orbit superposition models of the nucleus of m31
work_keys_str_mv AT brownc threedimensionalkeplerianorbitsuperpositionmodelsofthenucleusofm31
AT magorrians threedimensionalkeplerianorbitsuperpositionmodelsofthenucleusofm31