Abstract.
The velocity function (VF) of galaxies is analogous to the luminosity function (LF), but a more direct tool for comparing observations and theory. The 2MASS LF is calculated here for a local sample of \(\sim 4000\) galaxies, and the VF is derived from a \(\sim 1000\) galaxy subsample drawn from it. The observed VF follows a Schechter functional form. All current analytical, semi-analytical, and numerical galaxy formation models predict power-law (or nearly so) shapes for the VF, and hence cannot reproduce the observations. It remains an open challenge for any galaxy formation model to explain the observed VF.
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Pahre, M.A., Kochanek, C.S., Falco, E.E., Huchra, J.P. The 2MASS Luminosity, Velocity, and Mass Functions of Galaxies. In: Bender, R., Renzini, A. (eds) The Mass of Galaxies at Low and High Redshift. ESO ASTROPHYSICS SYMPOSIA. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/10899892_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/10899892_9
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