Abstract

A family of spin-lattice models are derived as convergent finite dimensional approximations to the rest frame kinetic energy of a barotropic fluid coupled to a massive rotating sphere. The angular momentum of the fluid component changes under complex torques that are not resolved and the kinetic energy of the fluid is not a conserved Hamiltonian in these models. These models are used in a stati...

The formation of elliptical galaxies as a result of the merging of spiral galaxies is discussed. We analyse a large set of numerical N-Body merger simulations which show that major mergers can in principle explain the observed isophotal fine structure of ellipticals and its correlation with kinematical properties. Equal-mass mergers lead to boxy, slowly rotating systems, unequal-mass mergers pr...