Rotation Curves of Galaxies in Various Space Environments

• Published in: Astrophysics Vol. 44; no. 2; p. 158
• Main Authors: Evstigneeva, E A, Reshetnikov, V P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer Nature B.V 01.04.2001
• Subjects: Astrophysics; Stars & galaxies
• ISSN: 0571-7256; 1573-8191
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1010932406542

A sample of giant Sb-Sc spiral galaxies for which there are highly accurate and extended rotation curves was considered. Having divided the galaxies into three groups as a function of the overall spatial density of luminosity (mass) within 0.5 Mpc (ρ^sub L^), we investigated the characteristics of the rotation curves as functions of ρ^sub L^. It turned out that for such massive galaxies, the shape of the rotation curve (the logarithmic gradient) and the Tully-Fisher relation do not depend on the overall space environment. The only difference is that the rotation curves of galaxies in regions with high ρ^sub L^ can be traced out to smaller relative distances from the nucleus, on the average. This may be related to destruction of the outer regions of their gaseous disks in gravitational interaction with surrounding galaxies.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]