1
$\begingroup$

I know that the galaxy rotation curve doesn't obey general relativity and instead of decreasing, the star velocity remains constant which is shown by a flat rotation curve (rotation velocity v/s distance).

but I often see that the curve is flat till the graph ends but it doesn't show the distance till which the curve is flat. Is it flat all the way to infinity??

But that would imply an infinite amount of dark matter??

$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ A galaxy rotation curve is simply the graph of the orbital velocity of detectable matter (stars in the optical range, and beyond that, gas). Once you reach the limits of the instruments (and run out of observable matter) there is nothing there to graph, and the graph ends. Now, we know it doesn't extend to infinity because the whole universe doesn't rotate around a single galaxy. I'm not sure if a drop off of the rotation curve has been observed or if it's an area of active research - so I suppose your question could be seen as revolving around that (what experimental data has been found)? $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 16, 2020 at 15:18

2 Answers 2

1
$\begingroup$

The visible matter in a galactic disc gets thinner and more tenuous the farther out you go from the center. Our curves stop at the limit of our detection tools. As new and more sensitive techniques are developed for detecting matter in the disc, we find the disc is far larger than we previously could measure and indeed, the curve stays flat or nearly so.

$\endgroup$
5
  • $\begingroup$ But we could infer the amount of dark matter by the interaction of different galaxies and from there we can maybe figure out the rotation curve which is beyond our capabilities of doing so by observing visible matter. $\endgroup$
    – user210956
    Commented Oct 17, 2020 at 2:20
  • $\begingroup$ Is there any technique of measuring rotation curve like this in astronomy?? $\endgroup$
    – user210956
    Commented Oct 17, 2020 at 2:20
  • $\begingroup$ yes yes, there's a lot about this on the web. $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 17, 2020 at 3:44
  • $\begingroup$ Can you please give me some keywords related to this, so I can search on web about it. $\endgroup$
    – user210956
    Commented Oct 17, 2020 at 4:37
  • $\begingroup$ rotation curve dark matter spiral galaxy galactic halo $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 17, 2020 at 4:41
1
$\begingroup$

The technically correct answer is: As far out as the mass distribution is well approximated by a mass density that is growing linearly in radius (a).

A more observational answer would be: For most galaxies, as far out as we can measure (b).

Many astronomers will say: Out to about two or three times the optical radius (c).

And a practical answer could be: About half-way to the next galaxy (d).

Want more? Read on.

Allow me to first comment on your question: "I know that the galaxy rotation curve doesn't obey general relativity" --- but of course it does! It's just that stars and gas orbit galaxies faster than what we would have expected if visible (baryonic) mass was all there was. Actually, Newtonian gravity is perfectly fine to calculate those rotation curves, no need to involve fancy general relativity.

(a): Let's use a simple 2D model for your galaxy for illustration. Then you can simply equate centripetal force and gravitational force: $$\frac{mv^2}{r}=\frac{GM(r)m}{r^2}$$ where $m$ is your star's mass and $M(r)$ is the mass of the galaxy out to radius $r$. Solve for the rotation curve: $$v(r)=\sqrt{\frac{GM(r)}{r}}$$ You know from mechanics 101 that outside a body of mass you can simply set $M(r)=M$ without a need for complicated integration, so for systems like our Solar System you get Kepler's law: $$v(r)=\sqrt{\frac{GM}{r}}\propto \sqrt{1/r}$$ This is also what you'd expect if stars and gas was all there was in galaxies, because then the mass would be centered around the core of the galaxy, and you'd expect Kepler's law for the rotation curve. But instead, we observe $v(r)\sim \mathrm{const}$. To get that from these equations, you realize that you need $M(r)\propto r$ such that $r$ cancels in the fraction and you get the constant $v$. This gives you the basic mass distribution of the dark matter halo: its mass is growing linearly with radius. As long as that is the case, your rotation curve will be flat.

(b): To get a better overview of our measurements, I recommend this nice and very readable review by Yoshiaki Sofue, a master expert on rotation curves. Out at high radii, there's no stars anymore to trace, but instead the rotation curves come from Doppler shifts of gas clouds. He has somewhat funny plots where he plots lots of rotation curves all on top of each other, and all flat as far out as we can measure.

(c): See e.g. the brief mention in this review (section 6.4)

(d): Indeed you are correct that of course the curve can not stay flat forever as that would imply an infinite amount of dark matter. Once you're half-way to the next galaxy (weighted by their mass for unequal pairs), gravity becomes centered towards that other galaxy. Stars will then stop orbiting your original galaxy, and the notion of a rotation curve fails to make sense.

One particular rotation curve is that of the Andromeda Galaxy. From one of Sofue's papers comes this measurement: Rotation Curve of the Andromeda Galaxy And you can see the rotation curve going down once you get close to about half way between the Milky Way and Andromeda (about 350-400kpc). Yes, that means our dark matter halos are touching.

$\endgroup$
0

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.