Comparing various approaches to simulating the formation of shell galaxies

Abstract

The model of a radial minor merger proposed by [Quinn, ApJ 279, 596 (1984)], which successfully reproduces the observed regular shell systems in shell galaxies, is ideal for a test-particle simulation. We compare such a simulation with a self-consistent one. They agree very well in positions of the first generation of shells but potentially important effects - dynamical friction and gradual decay of the dwarf galaxy - are not present in the test-particle model, therefore we look for a proper way to include them. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011.