Disk galaxy rotation curves and dark matter distribution

TL;DR

This paper reviews methods for measuring galaxy rotation curves, discusses Newtonian and modified gravity models, and explores general relativity applications to understand dark matter distribution in disk galaxies.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of observational techniques, numerical simulations, and theoretical models, including modified Newtonian dynamics and general relativity, for analyzing galaxy rotation curves.

Findings

Rotation curves suggest presence of dark matter

Modified Newtonian dynamics can explain outer galaxy rotation

General relativity applications are still inconclusive

Abstract

After explaining the motivation for this article, I briefly recapitulate the methods used to determine, somewhat coarsely, the rotation curves of our Milky Way Galaxy and other spiral galaxies, especially in their outer parts, and the results of applying these methods. Recent observations and models of the very inner central parts of galaxian rotation curves are only briefly described. I then present the essential Newtonian theory of (disk) galaxy rotation curves. The next two sections present two numerical simulation schemes and brief results. Application of modified Newtonian dynamics to the outer parts of disk galaxies is then described. Finally, attempts to apply Einsteinian general relativity to the dynamics are summarized. The article ends with a summary and prospects for further work in this area.