Self-consistent models of cuspy triaxial galaxies with dark matter haloes

Abstract

We have constructed realistic, self-consistent models of triaxial elliptical galaxies embedded in triaxial dark matter haloes. We examined three different models for the shape of the dark matter halo: (i) the same axis ratios as the luminous matter (0.7:0.86:1); (ii) a more prolate shape (0.5:0.66:1); (iii) a more oblate shape (0.7:0.93:1). The models were obtained by means of the standard orbital superposition technique introduced by Schwarzschild. Self-consistent solutions were found in each of the three cases. Chaotic orbits were found to be important in all of the models,and their presence was shown to imply a possible slow evolution of the shapes of the haloes. Our results demonstrate for the first time that triaxial dark matter haloes can co-exist with triaxial galaxies.