arXiv subjects

Indranil Banik

Publications and source records attributed to Indranil Banik.

59 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Dynamical History Of The Local Group In $Λ$CDM $\rm{II}$ $-$ Including External Perturbers In 3D

We attempt to fit the observed radial velocities (RVs) of ${\,{\sim}\,}30$ Local Group (LG) galaxies using a 3D dynamical model of it and its immediate environment within the context of the standard cosmological paradigm, $Λ$CDM. This extends and confirms the basic results of our previous axisymmetric investigation of the LG (MNRAS, 459, 2237). We find that there remains a tendency for observed RVs to exceed those predicted by our best-fitting model. The typical mismatch is slightly higher than in our 2D model, with a root mean square value of ${\,{\sim}\,}50$ km/s. Our main finding is that including the 3D distribution of massive perturbing dark matter halos is unlikely to help greatly with the high velocity galaxy problem. Nonetheless, the 2D and 3D results differ in several other ways such as which galaxies' RVs are most problematic and the preferred values of parameters common to both models. The anomalously high RVs of several LG dwarfs may be better explained if the Milky Way (MW) and Andromeda (M31) were once moving much faster than in our models. This would allow LG dwarfs to gain very high RVs via gravitational slingshot encounters with a massive fast-moving galaxy. Such a scenario is possible in some modified gravity theories, especially those which require the MW and M31 to have previously undergone a close flyby. In a $Λ$CDM context, however, this scenario is not feasible as the resulting dynamical friction would cause a rapid merger.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Effects of Lens Motion and Uneven Magnification on Image Spectra

Counter to intuition, the images of an extended galaxy lensed by a moving galaxy cluster should have slightly different spectra in any metric gravity theory. This is mainly for two reasons. One relies on the gravitational potential of a moving lens being time-dependent (the $\text{Moving}$ $\text{Cluster}$ $\text{Effect}$, $\text{MCE}$). The other is due to uneven magnification across the extended, rotating source (the $\text{Differential}$ $\text{Magnification}$ $\text{Effect}$, $\text{DME}$). The time delay between the images can also cause their redshifts to differ because of cosmological expansion. This Differential Expansion Effect is likely to be small. Using a simple model, we derive these effects from first principles. One application would be to the Bullet Cluster, whose large tangential velocity may be inconsistent with the $ΛCDM$ paradigm. This velocity can be estimated with complicated hydrodynamic models. Uncertainties with such models can be avoided using the MCE. We argue that the MCE should be observable with ALMA. However, such measurements can be corrupted by the DME if typical spiral galaxies are used as sources. Fortunately, we find that if detailed spectral line profiles were available, then the DME and MCE could be distinguished. It might also be feasible to calculate how much the DME should affect the mean redshift of each image. Resolved observations of the source would be required to do this accurately. The DME is of order the source angular size divided by the Einstein radius times the redshift variation across the source. Thus, it mostly affects nearly edge-on spiral galaxies in certain orientations. This suggests that observers should reduce the DME by careful choice of target, a possibility we discuss in some detail.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2016

Dynamical History of the Local Group in $Λ$CDM

The positions and velocities of galaxies in the Local Group (LG) measure the gravitational field within it. This is mostly due to the Milky Way (MW) and Andromeda (M31). We constrain their masses using distance and radial velocity (RV) measurements of 32 LG galaxies. To do this, we follow the trajectories of many simulated particles starting on a pure Hubble flow at redshift 9. For each observed galaxy, we obtain a trajectory which today is at the same position. Its final velocity is the model prediction for the velocity of that galaxy. Unlike previous simulations based on spherical symmetry, ours are axisymmetric and include gravity from Centaurus A. We find the total LG mass is ${4.33^{+0.37}_{-0.32}\times{10}^{12}M_\odot}$, with $0.14 \pm 0.07$ of this being in the MW. We approximately account for IC 342, M81, the Great Attractor and the Large Magellanic Cloud. No plausible set of initial conditions yields a good match to the RVs of our sample of LG galaxies. Observed RVs systematically exceed those predicted by the best-fitting $Λ$CDM model, with a typical disagreement of ${45.1^{+7.0}_{-5.7}}$ km/s and a maximum of ${110 \pm 13}$ km/s for DDO 99. Interactions between LG dwarf galaxies can't easily explain this. One possibility is a past close flyby of the MW and M31. This arises in some modified gravity theories but not in $Λ$CDM. Gravitational slingshot encounters of material in the LG with either of these massive fast-moving galaxies could plausibly explain why some non-satellite LG galaxies are moving away from us even faster than a pure Hubble flow.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2014

Ultra-relativistic oscillon collisions

In this short note we investigate the ultra-relativistic collisions of small amplitude oscillons in 1+1 dimensions. Using the amplitude of the oscillons and the inverse relativistic boost factor $γ^{-1}$ as the perturbation variables, we analytically calculate the leading order spatial and temporal phase shifts, and the change in the amplitude of the oscillons after the collisions. At leading order, we find that only the temporal phase shift receives a nonzero contribution, and that the collision is elastic. This work is also the first application of the general kinematic framework for understanding ultra-relativistic collisions (arXiv:1308.0606) to intrinsically time-dependent solitons.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

Galactic Archaeology with RAVE: Clues to the Formation of the Thick Disk

I present an analysis of ~13000 stars from RAVE Data Release 4 (DR4) to better understand the formation of the thick disk. The stars I consider are mostly within 1 kpc of the Sun. Based on a Monte-Carlo analysis of the data and comparison with a toy model, I suggest the thick disk formed fairly rapidly when [Mg/Fe] ${\approx}$0.2-0.3. We consider an origin via direct accretion unlikely as the thick disk is fast-rotating and fairly metal-rich for its age. As internal disk heating can not easily reach the high observed velocity dispersions and would likely be more gradual, it also appears implausible. A very early formation of the thick disk (e.g. from star formation in the collapsing primordial gas cloud of the Milky Way) appears unlikely given it would require [Mg/Fe] ${\geq}$ 0.4 at the time the thick disk formed. An origin via tidal interaction with another galaxy is one of the few remaining possibilities. My proposed explanation for the nature of the event which formed the thick disk is a close flyby of Andromeda, whose orbital dynamics in MOND are consistent with my estimate that the event occurred 7-11 Gyr ago. This leads to reasonable thick disk velocity dispersions. It will be important to determine whether the event heated the outer regions of the thin disk uniformly or if substantial portions of it were left largely unaffected. This may distinguish between models (like mine) involving a single close encounter and models with multiple encounters (as common in mergers). The main limiting factor at present seems to be the accuracy of elemental abundances and lack of direct observations at different galactocentric radii to the Sun.

astro-ph.GA↗