Theoretical astrophysics and plasma physics at RPC

Abstract:

A parameterized model of the mass distribution within the Milky Way is fitted to the available observational constraints. The most important single parameter is the ratio of the scale length R_d* of the stellar disk to R0. The disk and bulge dominate v_c(R) at R> R0. For example, changing the disk slightly from an exponential surface-density profile significantly changes the form of v_c(R) at R >> R0, where the disk makes a negligible contribution to v_c. Moreover, minor changes in the constraints can cause the halo to develop a deep hole at its centre that is not physically plausible. These problems call into question the proposition that flat rotation curves arise because galaxies have physically distinct halos rather than outwards-increasing mass-to-light ratios. The mass distribution of the Galaxy and the relative importance of its various components will remain very uncertain until more observational data can be used to constrain mass models. Data that constrain the Galactic force field at z > R and at R > R0 are especially important.

Abstract:

A straightforward determination of the circular-speed curve vc(R) of the Milky Way suggests that near the Sun, vc starts to rise approximately linearly with R. If this result were correct, the Galactic mass density would have to be independent of radius at R ~> R0. We show that the apparent linear rise in v_c arises naturally if the true circular-speed curve is about constant or gently falling at R0 < R ~< 2 R0, but most tracers that appear to be at R ~> 1.25 R0 are actually concentrated into a ring of radius ~1.6 R0.