Circularization Time of Binary Galaxies
Abstract
We report the results of numerical experiments performed to study the orbital circularization time of binary galaxies. We find that the time scale is quite long (larger than the Hubble time), confirming earlier calculations. The results depend on the initial conditions. From our simulations we obtained a fitting formula for the circularization time as a function of the initial orbital parameters like the pericentric distance, mass ratio, and eccentricity.
- Publication:
-
The Astronomical Journal
- Pub Date:
- November 1994
- DOI:
- 10.1086/117183
- Bibcode:
- 1994AJ....108.1627J
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Models;
- Circular Orbits;
- Dynamic Models;
- Elliptical Galaxies;
- Interacting Galaxies;
- Many Body Problem;
- Orbit Calculation;
- Orbit Decay;
- Angular Momentum;
- Computerized Simulation;
- Galactic Mass;
- Galactic Structure;
- Gravitation;
- Mass Distribution;
- Mathematical Models;
- Momentum Transfer;
- Monte Carlo Method;
- Astrophysics;
- GALAXIES: BINARIES;
- GALAXIES: INTERACTIONS;
- GALAXIES: KINEMATICS AND DYNAMICS