Abstract
The origin of boxy and disky elliptical galaxies is investigated. The results of two collisionless N-body simulations of spiral-spiral mergers with mass ratios of 1 : 1 and 3 : 1 are discussed, and the projected properties of the merger remnants are investigated. It is shown that the equal-mass merger leads to an anisotropic, slowly rotating system with preferentially boxy isophotes and significant minor-axis rotation. The unequal-mass merger results in the formation of a rotationally supported elliptical galaxy with disky isophotes and small minor-axis rotation. The observed scatter in the kinematical and isophotal properties of both classes of elliptical galaxies can be explained by projection effects.
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