Two-component galaxy models with a central BH – II. The ellipsoidal case

Abstract

ABSTRACT Recently, two-component spherical galaxy models have been presented, where the stellar profile is described by a Jaffe law, and the total density by another Jaffe law, or by an r−3 law at large radii. We extend these two families to their ellipsoidal axisymmetric counterparts: the JJe and J3e models. The total and stellar density distributions can have different flattenings and scale lengths, and the dark matter halo is defined by difference. First, the analytical conditions required to have a nowhere negative dark matter halo density are derived. The Jeans equations for the stellar component are then solved analytically, in the limit of small flattenings, also in the presence of a central BH. The azimuthal velocity dispersion anisotropy is described by the Satoh k-decomposition. Finally, we present the analytical formulae for velocity fields near the centre and at large radii, together with the various terms entering the virial theorem. The JJe and J3e models can be useful in a number of theoretical applications, e.g. to explore the role of the various parameters (flattening, relative scale lengths, mass ratios, rotational support) in determining the behaviour of the stellar kinematical fields before performing more time-expensive integrations with specific galaxy models, to test codes of stellar dynamics and in numerical simulations of gas flows in galaxies.