Abstract
A popular theory for galaxy formation holds that the Universe is dominated by exotic particles such as axions, photinos or gravitinos (collectively known as cold dark matter, CDM)1–3. This hypothesis can reconcile the aesthetically pleasing idea of a flat universe with the standard theory of primordial nucleosynthesis and with upper limits on anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background4–6. The resulting model is consistent with the observed dynamics of galaxy clustering only if galaxy formation is biased towards high-density regions7,8. We have shown that such a biased model successfully matches the distribution of galaxies on megaparsec (Mpc) scales9. If it is to be viable, it must also account for the structure of individual galaxies and their haloes. Here we describe a simulation of a flat CDM universe which can resolve structures of comparable scale to the luminous parts of galaxies. We find that such a universe produces objects with the abundance and characteristic properties inferred for galaxy haloes. Our results imply that merging plays an important part in galaxy formation and suggest a possible explanation for the Hubble sequence.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Blumenthal, G. R., Faber, S. M., Primack, J. R. & Rees, M. J. Nature 311, 517–525 (1984).
Peebles, P. J. E. Astrophys. J. Lett. 263, L1–L5 (1982).
Bond, J. R. & Szalay, A. S. Astrophys. J. 274, 443–468 (1983).
Yang, J., Turner, M. S., Steigman, G., Schramm, D. N. & Olive, K. A. Astrophys. J. 281, 493–511 (1984).
Bond, J. R. & Efstathiou, G. Astrophys. J. Lett. 285, L45–L48 (1984).
Vittorio, N. & Silk, J. Astrophys. J. Lett. 285, L39–L43 (1984).
Bardeen, J. M. in Inner Space, Outer Space (eds Kolb, E. W. & Turner, M. S.) (University of Chicago Press, in the press).
Kaiser, N. in Inner Space, Outer Space (eds Kolb, E. W. & Turner, M. S.) (University of Chicago Press, in the press).
Davis, M., Efstathiou, G., Frenk, C. S. & White, S. D. M. Astrophys. J. 292, 371–394 (1985).
Davies, R. L., Efstathiou, G., Fall, S. M., Illingworth, G. & Schechter, P. L. Astrophys. J. 266, 41–57 (1983).
Dressler, A. Astrophys. J. 236, 351–365 (1980).
Rubin, V. C., Burstein, D., Ford, W. K. & Thonnard, N. Astrophys. J. 289, 81–104 (1985).
Rees, M. J. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 213, 75p–81p (1985).
Silk, J. I. Preprint (University of California, Berkeley, 1985).
Larson, R. B. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 176, 31–52 (1976).
Dekel, A. & Silk, J. I. Preprint (University of California, Berkeley, 1985).
Fall, S. M. & Efstathiou, G. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 193, 189–206 (1980).
Gunn, J. E. in Astrophysical Cosmology (eds Bruck, H. A., Coyne, G. & Longair, M.) 233–262 (Pontifica Academia Scientiarium, 1982).
Larson, R. B., Tinsley, B. M. & Caldwell, C. N. Astrophys. J. 237, 692–707 (1980).
Toomre, A. in Evolution of Galaxies and Stellar Populations (eds Tinsley, B. M. & Larson,R. B.) 401–426 (Yale University Observatory, 1977).
White, S. D. M. & Negroponte, J. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 201, 401–414 (1982).
Cowie, L. Pap. presented at CITA Conf. on Galaxy Formation (Toronto, 1985).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Frenk, C., White, S., Efstathiou, G. et al. Cold dark matter, the structure of galactic haloes and the origin of the Hubble sequence. Nature 317, 595–597 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/317595a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/317595a0
This article is cited by
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.