Modelling galaxy merger time-scales and tidal destruction

Simha, Vimal; Cole, Shaun

Abstract

We present a model for the dynamical evolution of subhaloes based on an approach combining numerical and analytical methods. Our method is based on tracking subhaloes in an N-body simulation up to the latest epoch that it can be resolved, and applying an analytic prescription for its merger time-scale that takes dynamical friction and tidal disruption into account. When applied to cosmological N-body simulations with mass resolutions that differ by two orders of magnitude, the technique produces halo occupation distributions that agree to within 3  per cent. This model has now been implemented in the GALFORM semi-analytic model of galaxy formation.

Citation

Simha, V., & Cole, S. (2017). Modelling galaxy merger time-scales and tidal destruction. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 472(2), 1392-1400. https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stx1942

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 27, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Aug 2, 2017
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Nov 1, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 1, 2017
• Journal: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
• Print ISSN: 0035-8711
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-2966
• Publisher: Royal Astronomical Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 472
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 1392-1400
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stx1942
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1372461