Award Date
5-1-2013
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Physics and Astronomy
First Committee Member
George Rhee
Second Committee Member
Stephen Lepp
Third Committee Member
Kentaro Nagamine
Fourth Committee Member
Rodney Metcalf
Number of Pages
145
Abstract
Rotation curves measured using Hi emission are a powerful tool for probing the mass distribution of galaxies. We investigate the accuracy with which rotation curves can be determined using the tilted-ring model. We have examined the effect of varying the dynamic center on measured rotation velocities within the inner regions of galaxies where the disagreement between theory and observation is the greatest. We examine a sample of dwarf galaxies (and one spiral galaxy) from the THINGS high-resolution survey (Walter et al. 2008). We find that the measured rotation curve is quite sensitive to the location of the dynamic center. This center is difficult to determine for dwarf galaxies. We also find that errors in rotation velocities determined with the tilted-ring method have been underestimated in previous studies.
Keywords
Dark Matter; Galaxies: Fundamental Parameters; Galaxies: Individual: DDO 154; DDO 53; IC 2574; NGC 2366; NGC 3627; Galaxies: ISM; Galaxies: Kinematics & Dynamics
Disciplines
Astrophysics and Astronomy
File Format
Degree Grantor
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Language
English
Repository Citation
Boisvert, John Henry, "How Accurately Can the Inclination Angle, Position Angle, and Location of the Dynamic Center be Measured from the Neutral Hydrogen Disk in the Central Regions of Dwarf Galaxies?" (2013). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 2820.
http://dx.doi.org/10.34917/9419960
Rights
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