Distribution functions for spheroids

Journal article

Galaxy models comprising several components (including dark matter) that are bound by the self-consistently generated gravitational field are readily constructed from distribution functions (DFs) that are analytic functions of the action integrals . We explain why such models have unphysical velocity distributions unless the DFs of hot components satisfy certain conditions as . We show how DFs for both isotropic and radially biased spherical systems can be constructed with specified . We show how to construct DFs for flattened systems with significant velocity anisotropy. Construction of self-consistent models rather than populations that are confined by an external potential leads to the conclusion that radially-biased spherical systems are generically unstable to quadrupolar perturbations. Chaos is likely key to maintenance of these constraints during adiabatic disc growth. If the DFs of dark haloes are radially biased, as simulations of cosmic clustering suggest, then models presented here suggest that dark haloes should be significantly oblate.

Authors: Binney, J

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Journal: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
• Volume: 549
• Issue: 1
• Article number: stag854
• Publication date: 2026-05-07
• Acceptance date: 2026-05-01
• DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stag854
• EISSN: 1365-2966
• ISSN: 0035-8711
• Language: English
• Keywords: galaxies: elliptical and lenticular, cD; galaxies: kinematics and dynamics; galaxies: haloes; Galaxy: kinematics and dynamics