Dark matter in galaxies

Dark matter in galaxies, its abundance, and its distribution remain a subject of long-standing discussion, especially in view of the fact that neither dark matter particles nor dark matter bodies have yet been found. Experts' opinions range from a very large number of completely dark galaxies exist to nonbaryonic dark matter does not exist at all in any significant amounts. We discuss astronomical evidence for the existence of dark matter and its connection with visible matter and examine attempts to estimate its mass and distribution in galaxies from photometry, dynamics, gravitational lensing, and other observations (the cosmological aspects of the existence of dark matter are not considered in this review). In our view, the presence of dark matter in and around galaxies is a well-established fact. We conclude with an overview of mechanisms by which a dark halo can influence intragalactic processes.Comment: 82 pages, 35 figure

WSRT observations and surface photometry of two unusual spiral galaxies

We discuss the results of a mass decomposition of two spiral galaxies, NGC 6824 and UGC 11919. In a previous analysis of the Hyperleda catalog, the galaxies were identified as having a peculiar dynamical $M/L$. The aim of this study is to confirm or disprove the preliminary findings, indicating a non-standard stellar initial mass function (IMF) for the galaxies. The surface photometry in B, V, and R bands was carried out with the Apache Point 0.5-m telescope and the \ion{H}{I} data cubes were obtained with the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT). Photometric profiles were decomposed into bulge and exponential disk components. Using the obtained \ion{H}{I} data cubes, rotation curves of both galaxies were constructed. Employing the photometric profiles, the mass distribution of the galaxies was decomposed into mass components: bulge, stellar disk, gas, and pseudo-isothermal dark halo. We conclude that NGC 6824 possesses a stellar disk with mass-to-light ratio $(M/L_B)_{\rm disk} = 2.5$, in agreement with its color $(B-V)_0$. On the contrary, UGC 11919 appears to have a very lightweight disk. Its dynamically estimated mass corresponds to a low stellar disk mass-to-light ratio $(M/L_B)_{\rm disk} \approx 0.5$. Under standard assumptions, this ratio does not agree with the relatively red color of the disk, while a bottom light stellar initial mass function is needed to explain the observations.Comment: 14 pages, 14 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic