1208.2813 (Jason Sanders)

Angle-action estimation in a general axisymmetric potential    [PDF]

Jason Sanders

The usefulness of angle-action variables in galaxy dynamics is well known, but their use is limited due to the difficulty of their calculation in realistic galaxy potentials. Here we present a method for estimating angle-action variables in a realistic Milky Way axisymmetric potential by locally fitting a St\"ackel potential over the region an orbit probes. The quality of the method is assessed by comparison with other known methods for estimating angle-action variables of a range of disc and halo-type orbits. We conclude by projecting the Geneva-Copenhagen survey into angle-action space.

View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1208.2813