The Equilibria of a Galaxy which is a Superposition of Subsystems
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Abstract
This paper describes a family of equilibrium configurations of a highly flattened, rapidly rotating galaxy which is a superposition of subsystems. A model of the solar neighborhood is constructed in terms of these configurations. The model represents the local structure of the Galaxy to within the accuracy to which the structure is known. However, according to the model, the local value of the surface density is 86 in contrast, recent models derived from the law of galactic rotation have surface densities of the order of 114 n in the solar neighborhood. This discrepancy could be accounted for in terms of a population of stars in the galactic halo; however, it is also possible that the discrepancy results entirely from errors in the basic data of galactic structure. The effect of the multiplicity of stellar populations on the stability of a galaxy with respect to axisymmetric oscillations is considered; it is found that the peculiar motions of the stars suffice to stabilize the Galaxy in the solar neighborhood even if the local value of the surface density is as large as 114 pc-2.